God and Dee Snider
Hello again. It's been a year and a half since my last post. I've had quite some distraction from writing during that time.
I can't and won't go into all the details, but the reason for my long absence is that I went through a very painful divorce. It was not something that I wanted nor even thought was going to happen, but it did. Of all the hurtful and painful things I have experienced in my life, this was the most devastating.
Mainly I guess, because of my two precious baby girls. Having to leave them with the knowledge that I wouldn't be there to see them everyday nearly killed me, literally.
My ex-wife and I are both to blame. I wouldn't know how to explain it other than we never got on the same page with each other. Anyway, as I said, I can't nor will go into all the details. Just know that divorce in any aspect is a horrid, devastating thing.
Now, on to what I want to say. Having gone through the most darkest time in my life, I surely would not be writing this now if not for God.
I screamed at Him and cursed at Him for not stopping the divorce from happening. I wanted to walk away from everything. I didn't want to walk away from God, because I new if I did that, I would always know I was wrong and I was afraid of actually walking too far. I was however walking away from ministry and even church. I had not yet physically left church, but it would have come. The things that saved me, I believe, were men of WOC-FUEL. The men's ministry of my church, my friends and my brothers. Their strong words, their soft words, their listening ears and their crying eyes. Most of all their prayers. I believe God had actually set me up. He wasn't surprised by the divorce as I was. He knew it was coming and He surrounded me with people who cared and loved me. He also had my family, my brother and my sister. My siblings and I became closer than we had ever been and for that I am thankful.
Through this all I wanted was for it to be over and me to be over it and happy again. No such luck. God has His plans and His purposes and He knows what they are better than we do and is not predisposed to tell us at all. That's why it's called faith. My faith had been wounded and until I made the decision to put my trust (faith) back in Him, I wasn't going anywhere but deeper and darker.
I am also a believer that God can use whatever or whomever He can or wants to and that whatever or whomever doesn't need the worlds (the Christian world) stamp of approval to do so. God had put in me a deep sense of faith. I said it was wounded not destroyed. Nothing can destroy your faith in God but you. Through out the whole thing I knew God was the only one who could bring me out of it.
Not being involved with ministry so much, I was allowing myself some much needed enjoyments such as reading books that I was interested in. One of these books was an memoir by heavy metal legend Dee Snider. He is the lead singer for the band Twisted Sister.
When I entered high school, I was sorta taken in by the local metal heads. With this group I felt I fit in and heavy metal became my style of music. One of the guys gave me my first copies of some heavy metal music and one of those was Twisted Sister, so I have been a pseudo fan ever since.
Dee Snider's memoir was truly inspirational. He gives his account of going after his dream of being a rock star and the years of failures and struggles it took to make it to the apex of that dream and then the decent into losing everything he had worked for, yet never stopping or never giving up. In a way, I could relate his story to my life. I already had this deep sense of not giving up (despite wanting to and even actually doing it to an extent) and reading Dee Snider's book helped sharpen that and strengthen that in a way no one else could.
Here's what I think you need to know from that. God can use anyone or anything. You have be discerning and God seeking to know what or who he is using and who he is not.
As I said, I knew God was and is the only person who could see me totally through this hell and He is the only one who can see you totally through whatever you may be facing. My path was with God and Dee Snider.
In Christ,
Kevin
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Monday, April 30, 2012
Custom Creator
Have you ever customized something? I'm sure you have. You probably have and don't even realize it. Think about it, to customize something means to take it and make it unique or to be what you like or want it to be. How about your house, or your room if you don't have a house, your clothing style or your car or truck? What about getting a tattoo? That's an extreme form of personal customization.
As we have moved into our new house, I now have my own office room. I can decorate it anyway I want to. I already have a few things in place. These are things that I like and that inspire me in writing and ministry. I used to watch the show Orange County Choppers. They custom built choppers with specific themes.
Did you know that God gave us the power to customize the earth? In a way, so to speak. In Genesis 1: 26-28 God gave Adam dominion and told him to subdue the earth. I know that is more of authority than customizing, but in a way Adam could customize the planet.
Almost anything and everything on this earth both man made and natural can be changed and customized to look and be whatever anyone wants it to be.
The crazy thing is that in our carnality and arrogance, we try to customize the one who customized us, God. People everywhere, everyday, try to customize God to fit their image and their likeness instead of conforming to fit and be in His image and likeness the way He intended and purposed.
What? No way. Yep, everyday. You see, as man has read and interpreted scripture over the years, Satan has done what he has done since the garden of Eden. Twisted the word of God in peoples minds. Satan started out with Eve saying "Hath God said ?", putting a question in Eve's mind about God's commands.
Hath God said you shouldn't look at that? Hath God said you shouldn't act that way? Hath God said they don't deserve it? Hath God said you should do this or do that even if it contradicts anything else God has already said? Hath God said you should look out for you and only you? I could go on and on.
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23
I don't think most of us fully grasp the simplicity of that scripture. I don't think most of us want to grasp the simplicity of that scripture. Jesus said if we are to follow him then we have to deny ourselves. Deny what we want. Deny our self love, pride, and wants.
Some people miss the deception that happens. Does God want us to be happy? Yes. Does God want us prosper? Yes. Does God want me to excel in all that I do? Yes.
Being a minister and a teacher, one thing that (just being honest) infuriates me with people is when they try to use God or His word to justify to themselves and to others, their own selfish wants. They say things like " God told me to do this " or they find a scripture they think justifies it when they no more heard God or read the word in it's truth than a man sitting on the moon eating cheese.
Now, don't get me wrong. I know people hear God and receive direction from Him and even are given scriptures from Him as confirmation to them of what He is directing them to do. However, there are those that it doesn't take a lot of spiritual sense to know they are fooling themselves and trying to fool you.
One thing I think could even be more wrong is when someone counsels another person based on their experiences which is often bad. They have not only customized their lives but that of someone else's.
My whole point is this. Become the man or woman that God intends for you to be by following Him. By listening to His voice. By reading the Word and discerning what it is saying to you. By being man enough and woman enough to admit when you aren't sure of or don't know the answer and be willing to seek Godly counsel. I may interject that just because a person is/claims to be a Christian doesn't mean they have Godly counsel.
When we grow up and learn how to eat spiritual meat along with drinking our spiritual milk and get self out of the way of what God wants to do with us and in us and allow Him to customize us then we will not make the mistake of trying to make Him our Custom Creator.
In Christ,
Kevin
As we have moved into our new house, I now have my own office room. I can decorate it anyway I want to. I already have a few things in place. These are things that I like and that inspire me in writing and ministry. I used to watch the show Orange County Choppers. They custom built choppers with specific themes.
Did you know that God gave us the power to customize the earth? In a way, so to speak. In Genesis 1: 26-28 God gave Adam dominion and told him to subdue the earth. I know that is more of authority than customizing, but in a way Adam could customize the planet.
Almost anything and everything on this earth both man made and natural can be changed and customized to look and be whatever anyone wants it to be.
The crazy thing is that in our carnality and arrogance, we try to customize the one who customized us, God. People everywhere, everyday, try to customize God to fit their image and their likeness instead of conforming to fit and be in His image and likeness the way He intended and purposed.
What? No way. Yep, everyday. You see, as man has read and interpreted scripture over the years, Satan has done what he has done since the garden of Eden. Twisted the word of God in peoples minds. Satan started out with Eve saying "Hath God said ?", putting a question in Eve's mind about God's commands.
Hath God said you shouldn't look at that? Hath God said you shouldn't act that way? Hath God said they don't deserve it? Hath God said you should do this or do that even if it contradicts anything else God has already said? Hath God said you should look out for you and only you? I could go on and on.
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23
I don't think most of us fully grasp the simplicity of that scripture. I don't think most of us want to grasp the simplicity of that scripture. Jesus said if we are to follow him then we have to deny ourselves. Deny what we want. Deny our self love, pride, and wants.
Some people miss the deception that happens. Does God want us to be happy? Yes. Does God want us prosper? Yes. Does God want me to excel in all that I do? Yes.
Being a minister and a teacher, one thing that (just being honest) infuriates me with people is when they try to use God or His word to justify to themselves and to others, their own selfish wants. They say things like " God told me to do this " or they find a scripture they think justifies it when they no more heard God or read the word in it's truth than a man sitting on the moon eating cheese.
Now, don't get me wrong. I know people hear God and receive direction from Him and even are given scriptures from Him as confirmation to them of what He is directing them to do. However, there are those that it doesn't take a lot of spiritual sense to know they are fooling themselves and trying to fool you.
One thing I think could even be more wrong is when someone counsels another person based on their experiences which is often bad. They have not only customized their lives but that of someone else's.
My whole point is this. Become the man or woman that God intends for you to be by following Him. By listening to His voice. By reading the Word and discerning what it is saying to you. By being man enough and woman enough to admit when you aren't sure of or don't know the answer and be willing to seek Godly counsel. I may interject that just because a person is/claims to be a Christian doesn't mean they have Godly counsel.
When we grow up and learn how to eat spiritual meat along with drinking our spiritual milk and get self out of the way of what God wants to do with us and in us and allow Him to customize us then we will not make the mistake of trying to make Him our Custom Creator.
In Christ,
Kevin
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Mine Enemy Moloch
I am surprised. Really surprised. I would think that something like this would be being talked about or discussed in the Christian circles. I could be wrong it may be some other place with some other people, but not where I usually read and keep up with stuff. Curious??
Let this hit you right between the eyes. I am talking about the astonishing numbers of children who are being killed. I have never in my 39 years heard or seen so many news stories and articles about the deaths of children. The most recent being that of 9 year old Savannah Hardin. Ran to death by her grandmother and stepmother for eating a candy bar when she wasn't supposed to. Whatever happened to a spanking and time out?
This child's story is just the latest. I have took note for at least the past five years of all the headlines concerning the deaths of children. School shootings, parents killing their children, accidental deaths of children. It is enough that caused me to wonder what was going on and believe that it is something spiritual.
The Ammonites were an ancient biblical people who worshiped a demon god named Moloch. The Ammonites sacrificed their children to this demon god. I am unclear as to what the sacrifice's purpose was, but knowing the usual reasons for sacrifice to a god would be simply blessings and favor from the god.
An interesting thing about the sacrifices was this. The sacrifice idol had seven compartments (at least one version of it). A different sacrifice was placed in each compartment. Flour, Turtle-Doves, an Ewe, a Ram , a calf, an ox, and a child.
The idol was heated up red hot and each sacrificial element was burned. The child of course was burned alive. Some forms of the sacrifice idol had outstretched hands to which the children were placed and drums would be beaten loudly as to drowned out the screams of the children.
Now, what would this have so much to do with us today? What would be the connection or spiritual aspect of this?
The demon god Moloch is shown to be a half man, half bull creature. Remember the story of the Minotaur from Greek mythology where the children faced the half man half bull creature in the maze? Where do you think the story originated? More importantly to us, the stock market of today is run by men and it's symbol is the bull. The bible says the love of money is the root of all evil. If you think about it, the abuse or killing of a child is the most evil thing considered that a person can do.
I am not saying that every incident of an abused child or death of a child is about money. I am saying this demon god is demanding his sacrifice and the demonic influence to acquire it is permeating through our society.
Now, let's look at the other sacrificial elements. Flour, would represent food and nourishment. The spiritual feeding and nourishment of children has been taken away in our society and culture and most importantly homes. Parents are not and have not took care for their children's spiritual welfare and are thereby sacrificing them in the name of selfishness.
The next element is turtle-doves. Marriage, the marriage covenant between a man and a woman has been all but obliterated and the ones who were sacrificed for it are children. They pay the price for a broken marriage.
An ewe is the next element. The ewe is a female sheep. The female aspect of a flock or congregation. Now don't crucify me here. Women in church either have had to take the lead because the men haven't or they have been pushed and pressed down as God favored, God chosen, leaders. And who has suffered? The children. Young men in the church need to see what true women of God look like and act like. Young girls in the church need to see what true women of God look like and act like. They need spiritual mothers to lead and guide them and teach them how to become women of God themselves.
A ram is the next element. The ram represents the male sheep. The leaders of the flock. Again, don't crucify me. The male leadership in the church has been beat down, puffed up, and become and embarrassment. Who pays the price? The children. We need be strong, foundationally set, spiritual leaders of our homes and congregations. The big dog mentality needs to get a good rolled up paper whack on the nose. Being a true Godly man is what is desired, but becoming a wet noodle of hypocrisy is what has happened. Manhood and Christ likeness are synonymous.
The next element is a calf. Youth. Youth is celebrated and held aloft. Adults do stuff to try and recapture their youth. Women dress inappropriately. Men flirt inappropriately. There is nothing wrong with being young at heart and nothing wrong with doing and experiencing certain youthful things. The difference is mentality and motive. Who suffers? The children do because they never learn to be proper adults.
The next element is the ox. Work. We either work hard with out proper work ethics or don't work at all. This country is locked up over the free ride thought. We want the money, but don't want to work for it or make the proper sacrifices for it. Time and tithe. Some of us think we are owed it because of who we are and some of us want to take it because of who someone else is. Everything and anything of value was built and sacrificed for. God spoke this world into existence and then sacrificed for us. Aren't you worth it? Who suffers for the lack? The children. The learn to lie, cheat, and steal, to get what they want.
The last element is the child. The blood of the innocent. We sacrifice our children in the name of us. Selfishness. People don't understand that children are a gift. All gifts come with the responsibility of being taken care of. We allow society and culture to preach to our children a twisted gospel. We allow society and culture to influence and enable perversion. We allow fear and selfishness to dictate our lives. Who suffers? The children. Moloch is happy.
There is one more thing I want you to see. I believe a lot of spiritual connections and spiritual things are shown in the physical. I believe one way is through movies. I see spiritual aspects in a lot of movies. Now, I am not trying to ruin any fun or enjoyment of a movie but let's look at the new movie The Hunger Games. I have not seen this movie, and only know what I have read. I have seen the book for a while, but never knew what they were about. Feel free to correct any informational error I may make. I will be honest and correct it publicly. From what I have read the movie is about a future society in which there is a yearly "tribute" made. The tribute is a select child or several children. These children compete in a game and kill each other. I have read that there is concern over the portrayal of children killing each other.
When I read this, it was the final mark for me to write this article. A movie portraying children as sacrifices and killing each other. Personally I am not sure I will see this movie. It does scream loudly to me the spiritual events of our current time.
When I had my two girls, I determined they would grow up knowing their parents loved them. That is one thing other than believing in God that I did not want them to ever question. My heart aches every time I see the headlines of abused, and killed children.
I am not ashamed or embarrassed to say this. I am warrior. God has intended and destined me to be one since birth. I have had struggles and battles through out my life. Often I have wanted to walk away and give up. The battle for my children, any child, is one to which I gladly take up my sword and run to. I am not a children's minister or pastor but I do not have to be, nor do you. Satan is killing the seed through the fathers. If he can stop us, he can stop them. I speak to every mother and father who reads this. Get up, rise up, stand up, man up, woman up, father up, and mother up, and take responsibility for your children. I will forever seek to destroy Mine Enemy Moloch.
In Christ,
Kevin
Take The Day !!!
Let this hit you right between the eyes. I am talking about the astonishing numbers of children who are being killed. I have never in my 39 years heard or seen so many news stories and articles about the deaths of children. The most recent being that of 9 year old Savannah Hardin. Ran to death by her grandmother and stepmother for eating a candy bar when she wasn't supposed to. Whatever happened to a spanking and time out?
This child's story is just the latest. I have took note for at least the past five years of all the headlines concerning the deaths of children. School shootings, parents killing their children, accidental deaths of children. It is enough that caused me to wonder what was going on and believe that it is something spiritual.
The Ammonites were an ancient biblical people who worshiped a demon god named Moloch. The Ammonites sacrificed their children to this demon god. I am unclear as to what the sacrifice's purpose was, but knowing the usual reasons for sacrifice to a god would be simply blessings and favor from the god.
An interesting thing about the sacrifices was this. The sacrifice idol had seven compartments (at least one version of it). A different sacrifice was placed in each compartment. Flour, Turtle-Doves, an Ewe, a Ram , a calf, an ox, and a child.
The idol was heated up red hot and each sacrificial element was burned. The child of course was burned alive. Some forms of the sacrifice idol had outstretched hands to which the children were placed and drums would be beaten loudly as to drowned out the screams of the children.
Now, what would this have so much to do with us today? What would be the connection or spiritual aspect of this?
The demon god Moloch is shown to be a half man, half bull creature. Remember the story of the Minotaur from Greek mythology where the children faced the half man half bull creature in the maze? Where do you think the story originated? More importantly to us, the stock market of today is run by men and it's symbol is the bull. The bible says the love of money is the root of all evil. If you think about it, the abuse or killing of a child is the most evil thing considered that a person can do.
I am not saying that every incident of an abused child or death of a child is about money. I am saying this demon god is demanding his sacrifice and the demonic influence to acquire it is permeating through our society.
Now, let's look at the other sacrificial elements. Flour, would represent food and nourishment. The spiritual feeding and nourishment of children has been taken away in our society and culture and most importantly homes. Parents are not and have not took care for their children's spiritual welfare and are thereby sacrificing them in the name of selfishness.
The next element is turtle-doves. Marriage, the marriage covenant between a man and a woman has been all but obliterated and the ones who were sacrificed for it are children. They pay the price for a broken marriage.
An ewe is the next element. The ewe is a female sheep. The female aspect of a flock or congregation. Now don't crucify me here. Women in church either have had to take the lead because the men haven't or they have been pushed and pressed down as God favored, God chosen, leaders. And who has suffered? The children. Young men in the church need to see what true women of God look like and act like. Young girls in the church need to see what true women of God look like and act like. They need spiritual mothers to lead and guide them and teach them how to become women of God themselves.
A ram is the next element. The ram represents the male sheep. The leaders of the flock. Again, don't crucify me. The male leadership in the church has been beat down, puffed up, and become and embarrassment. Who pays the price? The children. We need be strong, foundationally set, spiritual leaders of our homes and congregations. The big dog mentality needs to get a good rolled up paper whack on the nose. Being a true Godly man is what is desired, but becoming a wet noodle of hypocrisy is what has happened. Manhood and Christ likeness are synonymous.
The next element is a calf. Youth. Youth is celebrated and held aloft. Adults do stuff to try and recapture their youth. Women dress inappropriately. Men flirt inappropriately. There is nothing wrong with being young at heart and nothing wrong with doing and experiencing certain youthful things. The difference is mentality and motive. Who suffers? The children do because they never learn to be proper adults.
The next element is the ox. Work. We either work hard with out proper work ethics or don't work at all. This country is locked up over the free ride thought. We want the money, but don't want to work for it or make the proper sacrifices for it. Time and tithe. Some of us think we are owed it because of who we are and some of us want to take it because of who someone else is. Everything and anything of value was built and sacrificed for. God spoke this world into existence and then sacrificed for us. Aren't you worth it? Who suffers for the lack? The children. The learn to lie, cheat, and steal, to get what they want.
The last element is the child. The blood of the innocent. We sacrifice our children in the name of us. Selfishness. People don't understand that children are a gift. All gifts come with the responsibility of being taken care of. We allow society and culture to preach to our children a twisted gospel. We allow society and culture to influence and enable perversion. We allow fear and selfishness to dictate our lives. Who suffers? The children. Moloch is happy.
There is one more thing I want you to see. I believe a lot of spiritual connections and spiritual things are shown in the physical. I believe one way is through movies. I see spiritual aspects in a lot of movies. Now, I am not trying to ruin any fun or enjoyment of a movie but let's look at the new movie The Hunger Games. I have not seen this movie, and only know what I have read. I have seen the book for a while, but never knew what they were about. Feel free to correct any informational error I may make. I will be honest and correct it publicly. From what I have read the movie is about a future society in which there is a yearly "tribute" made. The tribute is a select child or several children. These children compete in a game and kill each other. I have read that there is concern over the portrayal of children killing each other.
When I read this, it was the final mark for me to write this article. A movie portraying children as sacrifices and killing each other. Personally I am not sure I will see this movie. It does scream loudly to me the spiritual events of our current time.
When I had my two girls, I determined they would grow up knowing their parents loved them. That is one thing other than believing in God that I did not want them to ever question. My heart aches every time I see the headlines of abused, and killed children.
I am not ashamed or embarrassed to say this. I am warrior. God has intended and destined me to be one since birth. I have had struggles and battles through out my life. Often I have wanted to walk away and give up. The battle for my children, any child, is one to which I gladly take up my sword and run to. I am not a children's minister or pastor but I do not have to be, nor do you. Satan is killing the seed through the fathers. If he can stop us, he can stop them. I speak to every mother and father who reads this. Get up, rise up, stand up, man up, woman up, father up, and mother up, and take responsibility for your children. I will forever seek to destroy Mine Enemy Moloch.
In Christ,
Kevin
Take The Day !!!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Of Time Travel and Reality
This is an article I wrote in 2009 for IMPULSE, a newsletter for those who are involved with research on Myasthenia Gravis. I thought it would be a good word of encouragement for the first day of this new year of 2012.
We’ve all said it, or at least thought it, that old phrase, “If I could go back in time and….? “. I have longed for those golden days of yore that were my youth. But would I really go back if I had the chance?
Man’s curiosity for reliving the past via time travel seems to show up quite a bit. Movies like The Butterfly Effect, Back To The Future, and The Time Machine. One thing seems to stick out in every story of time travel. Something always goes bad. It takes numerous trips through time to fix the bad situations and nothing is truly back to normal. That should tell us something. Man was not meant to relive his past but, we do it all the time.
When we don’t let go of hurts and the wrongs done to us, when we choose not to forgive, we relive the wrong done to us over and over. Every time we speak of it and the memories of it enter our minds, our emotions react as if the situation has just happened. That is why we cry over it again. That is why we get angry all over again. As far as our emotions are concerned it just happened. We need to talk to get it out, but in a good way.
When we have certain traumatic things happen to us, it’s hard to just get over it. When things happen that hurt us and damage our emotions, those things seem to never end. I can speak from experience. When I got my first real girlfriend, I mean one that I had for more than a month or two, I thought I had found the one for me. Within two weeks of seeing each other I was professing my love for her. She told me she loved me too, but when I think about it she didn’t. She was just saying it because I did. She inevitably ended up breaking my heart tremendously. It was the most devastating thing I thought I would ever go through and at the time I thought it would never end. I was an emotional wreck. I even lost a job due to my out of control emotions. I did, however, find that time truly heals all wounds if you allow it to.
I wanted to be healed and free from the pain so bad that I did the only thing I knew to do. Take it to God. Through forgiveness and persistent prayer my heart was healed. The broken relationship was mended. We both married other people, but we are on good ground with each other.
The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13 and 14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (KJV). In a nutshell, Paul was saying what’s done is done and what’s past is just that, the past. I have more important things to do. If we took this kind of attitude about our past, what could we accomplish?
It’s not wrong to reminisce about old times or drive down memory lane. Just don’t set up residence and live there. Would I really go back if I had the chance? Even for the good times? Not when I think about my wife who stands beside me and my two wonderful baby girls who fill my here and now. Not a chance. Sorry, Yesteryear, I’ll visit every once in awhile.
Let me encourage you. Don’t live in the past. Allow God to heal whatever hurts you may have. Forgive those who did the hurting. As difficult as it may be, it is possible. Christ died for them, too. Cherish your memories, enjoy your present, and live for the future.
In Christ,
Kevin
We’ve all said it, or at least thought it, that old phrase, “If I could go back in time and….? “. I have longed for those golden days of yore that were my youth. But would I really go back if I had the chance?
Man’s curiosity for reliving the past via time travel seems to show up quite a bit. Movies like The Butterfly Effect, Back To The Future, and The Time Machine. One thing seems to stick out in every story of time travel. Something always goes bad. It takes numerous trips through time to fix the bad situations and nothing is truly back to normal. That should tell us something. Man was not meant to relive his past but, we do it all the time.
When we don’t let go of hurts and the wrongs done to us, when we choose not to forgive, we relive the wrong done to us over and over. Every time we speak of it and the memories of it enter our minds, our emotions react as if the situation has just happened. That is why we cry over it again. That is why we get angry all over again. As far as our emotions are concerned it just happened. We need to talk to get it out, but in a good way.
When we have certain traumatic things happen to us, it’s hard to just get over it. When things happen that hurt us and damage our emotions, those things seem to never end. I can speak from experience. When I got my first real girlfriend, I mean one that I had for more than a month or two, I thought I had found the one for me. Within two weeks of seeing each other I was professing my love for her. She told me she loved me too, but when I think about it she didn’t. She was just saying it because I did. She inevitably ended up breaking my heart tremendously. It was the most devastating thing I thought I would ever go through and at the time I thought it would never end. I was an emotional wreck. I even lost a job due to my out of control emotions. I did, however, find that time truly heals all wounds if you allow it to.
I wanted to be healed and free from the pain so bad that I did the only thing I knew to do. Take it to God. Through forgiveness and persistent prayer my heart was healed. The broken relationship was mended. We both married other people, but we are on good ground with each other.
The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13 and 14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (KJV). In a nutshell, Paul was saying what’s done is done and what’s past is just that, the past. I have more important things to do. If we took this kind of attitude about our past, what could we accomplish?
It’s not wrong to reminisce about old times or drive down memory lane. Just don’t set up residence and live there. Would I really go back if I had the chance? Even for the good times? Not when I think about my wife who stands beside me and my two wonderful baby girls who fill my here and now. Not a chance. Sorry, Yesteryear, I’ll visit every once in awhile.
Let me encourage you. Don’t live in the past. Allow God to heal whatever hurts you may have. Forgive those who did the hurting. As difficult as it may be, it is possible. Christ died for them, too. Cherish your memories, enjoy your present, and live for the future.
In Christ,
Kevin
Saturday, November 19, 2011
size DOESN"T matter
"....for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? "
1 Samuel 17:26 (in part)
Deer season has opened here in Alabama. That time when hunters go in search of that prized venison. Hopefully one with at least 8 points.
I am sure everyone has seen or knows someone who is a hunter and probably has one of those truck decals that says "Size Matters", referring to to the size of a deer's rack. Well, I want to talk to you about your life and when "size Doesn't matter".
I'm sure everyone has heard or read the story of David and Goliath. If you haven't, add it to your must read list and once you have read it through, read it again and maybe even again.
The army of Israel and the army of the Philistines were in a face off of battle. The Philistines had a champion named Goliath. Goliath was a big dude. At least nine feet tall to the average five to six foot man. Goliath would come out day after day and taunt the army of Israel. He would say, " Send a man to fight me, If I win then you will be our slaves and if he wins then we the Philistines will be your slaves". Day after day he taunted and mocked the army of Israel and day after day no soldier accepted his challenge. The army of Israel was afraid of him. He was big, fierce, and intimidating.
Now, my question would be this. Here was one giant and here was an army. Why didn't they have a good archer take him out? Or several archers?
Anyway, Here comes the shepherd boy David. Just doing what his father commanded him to do by taking bread to his brothers. David hears the taunts of Goliath. David doesn't say " oh my, you have a giant threatening you ". No, David's reaction is this, " Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he would mock the army of God? ". You see David didn't hear a giant. He didn't hear a fierce intimidating enemy. He heard someone mocking the living God, his God. He heard someone who did not have covenant with God daring to challenge someone who did.
David took the challenge. The challenge that King Saul or any one of his army should have and could have taken.
So David goes out to face Goliath and when Goliath sees him, he is actually offended that they sent a boy to fight him instead of a man. Goliath mocks " Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? ", and then he cursed David by his gods. Notice he cursed David by his gods, Goliath's gods not David's.
David replied to Goliath, but not with curses. David said, " I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel ".
Of course you know that David killed Goliath and cut off his head with his own sword. To have your head cut off with your own sword is an act of humiliation. Despite Goliath being dead, David humiliated him in front of the Philistine army. Now, notice this, in verse 51 it says that the Philistine army fled. They ran. You see when David made his proclamation to Goliath, he not only told Goliath he was going to kill him, but the entire Philistine host. That meant the entire Philistine army. You see, David could be that bold and was that bold because he knew he had that covenant with God and they didn't.
Now, let's apply this to our lives. When you get born again, saved, accept Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior, you have automatically become beneficiary of the covenant of God with God. That covenant is His word and all the promises He has made in His word for us and to us made available by the sacrifice and shed blood of Jesus. That covenant says we will be His people and He will be our God, our King and nothing or no one can stand against that covenant.
When all hell seems to be unleashed at you. When the giants of life are calling you out and mocking you. Remember that you have a covenant and those giants are as good as dead if you decide to fight. Notice what I said. If you decide to fight. The only way hell can prevail and giant circumstances can win is if we don't fight. It doesn't matter the size of the army or the giant. What matters is that covenant and you understanding it and knowing how to fight with it.
We don't understand that the enemy isn't afraid of us. No, Goliath wasn't afraid of David by no means. It's not us Satan fears, it's God. Notice again in the story, David went after Goliath in the name of God and for His glory that the Philistines would know there is a God in Israel. When he cut Goliath's head off, the Philistines knew there was a God in Israel. When you stand against the enemy in the name of Jesus, Satan remembers and the enemy remembers who your God is. They are going to keep on to see if you do.
You + God = Victory
It doesn't matter who you are or where you've been. It doesn't matter how much money you have or don't have. It doesn't matter what others think of you or don't think of you. What matters is the covenant and God will always keep His covenant.
To the world size matters with a lot of people and a lot of things. The more or the bigger the better. In the spirit world, in our daily lives, because of Jesus and our covenant with God, size DOESN'T matter.
In Christ,
Kevin
1 Samuel 17:26 (in part)
Deer season has opened here in Alabama. That time when hunters go in search of that prized venison. Hopefully one with at least 8 points.
I am sure everyone has seen or knows someone who is a hunter and probably has one of those truck decals that says "Size Matters", referring to to the size of a deer's rack. Well, I want to talk to you about your life and when "size Doesn't matter".
I'm sure everyone has heard or read the story of David and Goliath. If you haven't, add it to your must read list and once you have read it through, read it again and maybe even again.
The army of Israel and the army of the Philistines were in a face off of battle. The Philistines had a champion named Goliath. Goliath was a big dude. At least nine feet tall to the average five to six foot man. Goliath would come out day after day and taunt the army of Israel. He would say, " Send a man to fight me, If I win then you will be our slaves and if he wins then we the Philistines will be your slaves". Day after day he taunted and mocked the army of Israel and day after day no soldier accepted his challenge. The army of Israel was afraid of him. He was big, fierce, and intimidating.
Now, my question would be this. Here was one giant and here was an army. Why didn't they have a good archer take him out? Or several archers?
Anyway, Here comes the shepherd boy David. Just doing what his father commanded him to do by taking bread to his brothers. David hears the taunts of Goliath. David doesn't say " oh my, you have a giant threatening you ". No, David's reaction is this, " Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he would mock the army of God? ". You see David didn't hear a giant. He didn't hear a fierce intimidating enemy. He heard someone mocking the living God, his God. He heard someone who did not have covenant with God daring to challenge someone who did.
David took the challenge. The challenge that King Saul or any one of his army should have and could have taken.
So David goes out to face Goliath and when Goliath sees him, he is actually offended that they sent a boy to fight him instead of a man. Goliath mocks " Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? ", and then he cursed David by his gods. Notice he cursed David by his gods, Goliath's gods not David's.
David replied to Goliath, but not with curses. David said, " I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel ".
Of course you know that David killed Goliath and cut off his head with his own sword. To have your head cut off with your own sword is an act of humiliation. Despite Goliath being dead, David humiliated him in front of the Philistine army. Now, notice this, in verse 51 it says that the Philistine army fled. They ran. You see when David made his proclamation to Goliath, he not only told Goliath he was going to kill him, but the entire Philistine host. That meant the entire Philistine army. You see, David could be that bold and was that bold because he knew he had that covenant with God and they didn't.
Now, let's apply this to our lives. When you get born again, saved, accept Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior, you have automatically become beneficiary of the covenant of God with God. That covenant is His word and all the promises He has made in His word for us and to us made available by the sacrifice and shed blood of Jesus. That covenant says we will be His people and He will be our God, our King and nothing or no one can stand against that covenant.
When all hell seems to be unleashed at you. When the giants of life are calling you out and mocking you. Remember that you have a covenant and those giants are as good as dead if you decide to fight. Notice what I said. If you decide to fight. The only way hell can prevail and giant circumstances can win is if we don't fight. It doesn't matter the size of the army or the giant. What matters is that covenant and you understanding it and knowing how to fight with it.
We don't understand that the enemy isn't afraid of us. No, Goliath wasn't afraid of David by no means. It's not us Satan fears, it's God. Notice again in the story, David went after Goliath in the name of God and for His glory that the Philistines would know there is a God in Israel. When he cut Goliath's head off, the Philistines knew there was a God in Israel. When you stand against the enemy in the name of Jesus, Satan remembers and the enemy remembers who your God is. They are going to keep on to see if you do.
You + God = Victory
It doesn't matter who you are or where you've been. It doesn't matter how much money you have or don't have. It doesn't matter what others think of you or don't think of you. What matters is the covenant and God will always keep His covenant.
To the world size matters with a lot of people and a lot of things. The more or the bigger the better. In the spirit world, in our daily lives, because of Jesus and our covenant with God, size DOESN'T matter.
In Christ,
Kevin
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The "F" Word
Forgiveness. You either hate, feel guilty, wish you could hide, or just plain avoid that word. The only time anyone likes the word forgiveness is when they need it. Debt forgiveness ? Crime forgiveness? Accident forgiveness? Sin forgiveness? We usually want forgiveness when it comes to us, but we aren't to sure about it when it comes to others. We weigh the offense of others on our scale of pass or fail. But what of God's forgiveness and what does He think we should do about it? How does God's scale of pass or fail work? Does He even have a scale?
Many times in my life I have had to ask and even begged forgiveness of someone. Often my wife (lol). Many times in my life I have had to forgive someone for something they did that offended or hurt me. Neither one is easy. Asking forgiveness is a humbling experience and giving forgiveness should be a humbling one, but is more of a begrudging one. Begrudging because we are usually still offended and hurt when we do the forgiving.
One time a guy that had actually been a bully to me in school was seeing an ex-girlfriend of mine. We had actually just broken up for the third time. Yes I said third time, and this time was a doozy. This guy started seeing my ex sorta behind my back. What I mean is he actually talked once with me like a friend about our break up, yet began to see her after he knew how I felt. The kicker of this was we were all going to the same church.
One day I arrived at the church and was in the parking lot waiting to go in and he showed up. I was sitting in my car with the window down when he walked up and bent down to speak to me. I began to pray and ask God to let him say something that would give me reason to suddenly throw open the door hitting him and knocking him to the ground while I jumped out and began to pummel him about the head and face. God did not answer my prayer.
I was giving him the meanest stare I could when he said that he knew how I felt about my ex and that he had asked her to marry him and she said yes. I began praying again for those opportunistic words. No answer. He then said this, " if I have done anything to offend you I want to ask you to forgive me ". I thought "IF", "IF" you have done anything. Remember he's the guy who used to bully me and now was going to marry my ex girlfriend. I thought well let me just pull out my list here and......I forgive you. Yep, I said I forgive you. I knew it was the right thing and actually at that moment when he asked, there wasn't a question in my mind or heart. I did it and never held anything else against him. Oh don't get me wrong, we weren't going to be best buds or anything like that, but I did it.
Now, there are things that happen and stuff that people do that hurt us and offend us deeply. Those things cut deep into our hearts, souls, and even spirits. Things that we feel that we can or will never ever be able to forgive someone for. I will go so far as to say that we would be right to never forgive someone who has done something that we would feel was that bad. We might be right, but would we be righteous? We may be just in our unforgiveness, but are we justified? That is the rub.
Let me ask you this. Is God righteous and justified in forgiving us? Is He righteous and justified for forgiving those who hurt and offend us and others? Ok, let me ask the question this way. Was Jesus' blood only for certain people? Was Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for only certain sins or all sins?
You see, as I said we weigh others offenses on our scale (thought) of pass or fail. If what they did was small enough to be forgiven or too big to be. The truth of the matter is that God also has a scale, but His scale is a lot different than ours. His scale is the cross and the pure, un-tainted sinless blood of Jesus. The only sin or offense that I know of that God has said will not be forgiven, is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. All others can be and will be if asked for. Yes, that means the worst of the worst. If Hitler asked for forgiveness before he died, yes God forgave him. If a child molester asks Gods forgiveness, yes he will forgive them. Don't mistake me, receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior and accepting His sacrifice is the key to obtaining that forgiveness, but upon those precepts, it is available. No it doesn't mean we can accept Jesus and then sin freely either.
" Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Isaiah 55:7
Ok, so what about someone who won't admit they have done anything or won't ask forgiveness of us? Glad you asked. I believe we are responsible as Born Again Christians, Christ-Followers, Believer's, etc. to forgive everyone and anyone who has wronged us. Ouch, ggrrrr, I don't like this ride anymore. If we are not responsible or we do not forgive, then we make the sacrifice of Jesus worth nothing. We are saying that the cross and Jesus blood was not good enough to cover their sin and offense.
But how? How are we supposed to do that? God forgives only if we ask his forgiveness, not when we don't so how or why are we to forgive when someone doesn't ask our forgiveness. Ok, here it goes. God doesn't forgive us only if we ask. He has already forgiven us of everything we could have or would have or will ever do. When we ask God's forgiveness of something we are receiving the forgiveness that He has already provided through the blood of Jesus. The key again is accepting it. We can ask and receive because it's there. If someone doesn't ask they do not acknowledge that it is there and do not receive.
" In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
Ephesians 1:7
Remember the bully and ex girlfriend? I forgave him, but what about her? She had hurt me really bad. Third time she had broken up with me. I loved her. I wanted to marry her. I forgave her as well. I had to forgive her by faith. What I mean is that despite my feelings of hurt and anger I had to choose to forgive her because it was the right/righteous thing to do. She didn't come to me and ask my forgiveness like he did. On the contrary we actually didn't see each other again for some years. When we finally did see each other I knew it was going to happen. I mean I knew that certain circumstances would bring us to see each other. When it happened I asked her for forgiveness for the things I did wrong in our relationship and she....didn't ask for mine. She responded with a it's okay we were young and it's all water under the bridge answer, but no will you forgive me too. I hate to say that I actually was thinking she would. I mean she was the one who hurt me and had broken up with me, not the other way around. But I forgave her anyway. I forgave her for everything without her asking. Why? I had the power to. I had the will and the power through God's strength, not my own.
Forgiveness has been taught that it is for you personally more than the one you are forgiving. I may disagree. When we forgive, the burden of that offense is lifted from us. It may take some time for total forgiveness and total removal (time heals), but it will happen. We release whomever offended or sinned from that sin debt they owed to us as children of God. Just as when Jesus said, " father forgive them, they know not what they do", He released us from the sin debt we owed to God as rebellious children of Satan.
I know it's hard. Nobody says it isn't. I am no great forgiver either. I gave you one story from my past when I could have given many. A great man of God said to me, practically the other night, " let your character shine". No matter who does what to step on you, be better and let your character outshine their tress pass. We have to choose to forgive. We have to choose to do it by faith. We have to choose to be better than the offense. Do we keep letting ourselves be hurt again and again by the same people? No. We don't have to keep putting ourselves in situations or allowing someone to do the same things over and over. We can guard ourselves and still forgive and go on. Your purpose and destiny does not depend on how other people treat you. It does depend on how you treat other people. Forgiveness, The F Word.
In Christ,
Kevin
Many times in my life I have had to ask and even begged forgiveness of someone. Often my wife (lol). Many times in my life I have had to forgive someone for something they did that offended or hurt me. Neither one is easy. Asking forgiveness is a humbling experience and giving forgiveness should be a humbling one, but is more of a begrudging one. Begrudging because we are usually still offended and hurt when we do the forgiving.
One time a guy that had actually been a bully to me in school was seeing an ex-girlfriend of mine. We had actually just broken up for the third time. Yes I said third time, and this time was a doozy. This guy started seeing my ex sorta behind my back. What I mean is he actually talked once with me like a friend about our break up, yet began to see her after he knew how I felt. The kicker of this was we were all going to the same church.
One day I arrived at the church and was in the parking lot waiting to go in and he showed up. I was sitting in my car with the window down when he walked up and bent down to speak to me. I began to pray and ask God to let him say something that would give me reason to suddenly throw open the door hitting him and knocking him to the ground while I jumped out and began to pummel him about the head and face. God did not answer my prayer.
I was giving him the meanest stare I could when he said that he knew how I felt about my ex and that he had asked her to marry him and she said yes. I began praying again for those opportunistic words. No answer. He then said this, " if I have done anything to offend you I want to ask you to forgive me ". I thought "IF", "IF" you have done anything. Remember he's the guy who used to bully me and now was going to marry my ex girlfriend. I thought well let me just pull out my list here and......I forgive you. Yep, I said I forgive you. I knew it was the right thing and actually at that moment when he asked, there wasn't a question in my mind or heart. I did it and never held anything else against him. Oh don't get me wrong, we weren't going to be best buds or anything like that, but I did it.
Now, there are things that happen and stuff that people do that hurt us and offend us deeply. Those things cut deep into our hearts, souls, and even spirits. Things that we feel that we can or will never ever be able to forgive someone for. I will go so far as to say that we would be right to never forgive someone who has done something that we would feel was that bad. We might be right, but would we be righteous? We may be just in our unforgiveness, but are we justified? That is the rub.
Let me ask you this. Is God righteous and justified in forgiving us? Is He righteous and justified for forgiving those who hurt and offend us and others? Ok, let me ask the question this way. Was Jesus' blood only for certain people? Was Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for only certain sins or all sins?
You see, as I said we weigh others offenses on our scale (thought) of pass or fail. If what they did was small enough to be forgiven or too big to be. The truth of the matter is that God also has a scale, but His scale is a lot different than ours. His scale is the cross and the pure, un-tainted sinless blood of Jesus. The only sin or offense that I know of that God has said will not be forgiven, is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. All others can be and will be if asked for. Yes, that means the worst of the worst. If Hitler asked for forgiveness before he died, yes God forgave him. If a child molester asks Gods forgiveness, yes he will forgive them. Don't mistake me, receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior and accepting His sacrifice is the key to obtaining that forgiveness, but upon those precepts, it is available. No it doesn't mean we can accept Jesus and then sin freely either.
" Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Isaiah 55:7
Ok, so what about someone who won't admit they have done anything or won't ask forgiveness of us? Glad you asked. I believe we are responsible as Born Again Christians, Christ-Followers, Believer's, etc. to forgive everyone and anyone who has wronged us. Ouch, ggrrrr, I don't like this ride anymore. If we are not responsible or we do not forgive, then we make the sacrifice of Jesus worth nothing. We are saying that the cross and Jesus blood was not good enough to cover their sin and offense.
But how? How are we supposed to do that? God forgives only if we ask his forgiveness, not when we don't so how or why are we to forgive when someone doesn't ask our forgiveness. Ok, here it goes. God doesn't forgive us only if we ask. He has already forgiven us of everything we could have or would have or will ever do. When we ask God's forgiveness of something we are receiving the forgiveness that He has already provided through the blood of Jesus. The key again is accepting it. We can ask and receive because it's there. If someone doesn't ask they do not acknowledge that it is there and do not receive.
" In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
Ephesians 1:7
Remember the bully and ex girlfriend? I forgave him, but what about her? She had hurt me really bad. Third time she had broken up with me. I loved her. I wanted to marry her. I forgave her as well. I had to forgive her by faith. What I mean is that despite my feelings of hurt and anger I had to choose to forgive her because it was the right/righteous thing to do. She didn't come to me and ask my forgiveness like he did. On the contrary we actually didn't see each other again for some years. When we finally did see each other I knew it was going to happen. I mean I knew that certain circumstances would bring us to see each other. When it happened I asked her for forgiveness for the things I did wrong in our relationship and she....didn't ask for mine. She responded with a it's okay we were young and it's all water under the bridge answer, but no will you forgive me too. I hate to say that I actually was thinking she would. I mean she was the one who hurt me and had broken up with me, not the other way around. But I forgave her anyway. I forgave her for everything without her asking. Why? I had the power to. I had the will and the power through God's strength, not my own.
Forgiveness has been taught that it is for you personally more than the one you are forgiving. I may disagree. When we forgive, the burden of that offense is lifted from us. It may take some time for total forgiveness and total removal (time heals), but it will happen. We release whomever offended or sinned from that sin debt they owed to us as children of God. Just as when Jesus said, " father forgive them, they know not what they do", He released us from the sin debt we owed to God as rebellious children of Satan.
I know it's hard. Nobody says it isn't. I am no great forgiver either. I gave you one story from my past when I could have given many. A great man of God said to me, practically the other night, " let your character shine". No matter who does what to step on you, be better and let your character outshine their tress pass. We have to choose to forgive. We have to choose to do it by faith. We have to choose to be better than the offense. Do we keep letting ourselves be hurt again and again by the same people? No. We don't have to keep putting ourselves in situations or allowing someone to do the same things over and over. We can guard ourselves and still forgive and go on. Your purpose and destiny does not depend on how other people treat you. It does depend on how you treat other people. Forgiveness, The F Word.
In Christ,
Kevin
Sunday, May 15, 2011
30 Second Eternity: The World Needs A Hero
I guess it's safe to say that if not all of Alabama, at least North Central and up felt and is still feeling the overwhelming impact of the tornado's that came through on April 27th. People's lives have been turned upside down by the loss of property and more importantly the loss of life. To date, I believe there are still a great number of people unaccounted for. It is a shocking thing to see the devastation of areas that were hit. It is even more so if you see it first hand and not on tv.
Alabamians have risen to the task of helping and providing for those who have had there lives suddenly interrupted by natures fury. It is times like this that tug at my heart. When I see people from every color and creed not caring about such, just reaching out to help someone or help save someone. When the twin towers in New York were destroyed on 9/11, my heart ached at the loss of life, but my heart cried at the banding together of people to dig out possible survivors and to help the injured. The same is true for the destruction from the tornado's.
I have heard this statement a couple of times over the past few weeks since the storms. "30 seconds", "That's all it was, but that 30 seconds felt like an eternity". Indeed when we are in fearful situations, time seems to slow down or stop. We want the situation to be over, but it feels like will be forever.
The tornado's that came through Alabama and surrounding states were some of the most fierce that we have ever seen. Hearing the stories and recounts of events, it seemed that nothing or no one would have been safe from the wrath of these storms. It's hard to say that only God could have saved someone from storms such as this and indeed I believe there were those who were protected. There were also those who were not and that includes children and a great Christian couple from my church who did not survive. I am going to be straight forward and honest and say I cannot answer that question. I cannot answer why some perished and others survived. Why did God allow this and not that. I don't know and would be amazed at anyone who thinks they do. I can say however, that I do not believe God caused the storms. It was not an "Act of God". I do believe there were spiritual things behind them. I believe there are spiritual things behind the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, tsunami in Haiti and hurricane Katrina.
Mathew 24:7
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."
I believe we are seeing this verse come to life. I am not trying to be a doom and gloom preacher, nor do I want to be, but the truth is the truth and more so when it comes from God's Word.
In recent years we have seen movie's about the end of the world or mass destruction. 2012 is the most recent I know of. I have always believed that spiritual things will often appear in the physical. What I mean is when you see a pattern of something in movies and tv etc. that the same or similar situation will happen in reality. Kind of like the movie or tv show is the prophetic precursor to what is coming. Now that is just Kevin thought, meaning I could be wrong. Always go by what the bible says and not me. People can mistakes and thoughts don't always hold up.
Besides movies and tv shows of disasters, we have also seen many taken from the pages of comic books. The X-Men, Superman, Spiderman, and most recently Thor. The world wants a hero. I believe that people whether they realize it are not are crying out for a savior. Someone who has the power and the strength to set the world straight and protect us from evil.
Our problem as people/ human is that we tend to miss what is right in front of us. Sometimes we don't see the forrest for the trees. As I stated before, I cried on 9/11 not at the destruction and death, but at the selflessness of the people coming together to rescue the trapped and injured. I was moved on April 27th after the storms when people were digging out victims of the destruction. There was no color, no creed, no religion, no denomination that got in the way of compassion.
My wife and I watched the series Smallville. The story of Superman through his teenage and young adult years. Through out the series Clark Kent faced trial after trial on his journey to becoming the Man of Steel. Technically he was always the man of steel already having all his super powers. At the series end Clark was to face Darkside the ultimate evil who was going to take over the world and enslave the people. Darkside had marked those who had a dark side in them or sin. He marked them on their forehead with an omega symbol for the end. See anything there? At the end Clark had to realize who he was and what his destiny was and give the people hope. When he did this the symbols disappeared from their heads and Clark/Superman defeated Darkside.
The world is looking for a hero, but what they don't see is that the worlds hero has already came and has already defeated evil. Jesus Christ the son of God, Warrior, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Creator of the Universe. He came, saw, and kicked Satan's.....hiney. His love and compassion led Him to the cross to be the sacrifice and salvation of the world.
John 3:17,18
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Jesus may not be here physically. The bible says he sits at the right hand of the Father, but He is still with us and in us and His love and compassion become evident. Jesus is the true hero, but He has given us His power. Whenever a fireman rushes into a building to save someone. That is our hero. Whenever a police officer serves and protects. That is our hero. Whenever a rescue worker helps someone in need. That is our hero. Whenever a soldier defends his country. That is our hero. Whenever someone helps someone they don't know. That is our hero. When someone pulls someone out of a collapsed building. That is our hero.
You see, with the love and compassion of God in us through Jesus. We are the hero, but we couldn't be that hero without the true hero of Jesus.
In that 30 second eternity that we experience and we are afraid and we are crying out for a hero. We have to realize that our hero is with us no matter what the outcome. God is with us wherever we are, in whatever we are in. We don't see Him, but he is there. When it's over and we need help, His hand reaches out in the hands of each individual who races to the rescue. In our lives of 30 second eternities, we need Jesus our hero.
In Christ,
Kevin
Take The Day !!
Alabamians have risen to the task of helping and providing for those who have had there lives suddenly interrupted by natures fury. It is times like this that tug at my heart. When I see people from every color and creed not caring about such, just reaching out to help someone or help save someone. When the twin towers in New York were destroyed on 9/11, my heart ached at the loss of life, but my heart cried at the banding together of people to dig out possible survivors and to help the injured. The same is true for the destruction from the tornado's.
I have heard this statement a couple of times over the past few weeks since the storms. "30 seconds", "That's all it was, but that 30 seconds felt like an eternity". Indeed when we are in fearful situations, time seems to slow down or stop. We want the situation to be over, but it feels like will be forever.
The tornado's that came through Alabama and surrounding states were some of the most fierce that we have ever seen. Hearing the stories and recounts of events, it seemed that nothing or no one would have been safe from the wrath of these storms. It's hard to say that only God could have saved someone from storms such as this and indeed I believe there were those who were protected. There were also those who were not and that includes children and a great Christian couple from my church who did not survive. I am going to be straight forward and honest and say I cannot answer that question. I cannot answer why some perished and others survived. Why did God allow this and not that. I don't know and would be amazed at anyone who thinks they do. I can say however, that I do not believe God caused the storms. It was not an "Act of God". I do believe there were spiritual things behind them. I believe there are spiritual things behind the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, tsunami in Haiti and hurricane Katrina.
Mathew 24:7
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."
I believe we are seeing this verse come to life. I am not trying to be a doom and gloom preacher, nor do I want to be, but the truth is the truth and more so when it comes from God's Word.
In recent years we have seen movie's about the end of the world or mass destruction. 2012 is the most recent I know of. I have always believed that spiritual things will often appear in the physical. What I mean is when you see a pattern of something in movies and tv etc. that the same or similar situation will happen in reality. Kind of like the movie or tv show is the prophetic precursor to what is coming. Now that is just Kevin thought, meaning I could be wrong. Always go by what the bible says and not me. People can mistakes and thoughts don't always hold up.
Besides movies and tv shows of disasters, we have also seen many taken from the pages of comic books. The X-Men, Superman, Spiderman, and most recently Thor. The world wants a hero. I believe that people whether they realize it are not are crying out for a savior. Someone who has the power and the strength to set the world straight and protect us from evil.
Our problem as people/ human is that we tend to miss what is right in front of us. Sometimes we don't see the forrest for the trees. As I stated before, I cried on 9/11 not at the destruction and death, but at the selflessness of the people coming together to rescue the trapped and injured. I was moved on April 27th after the storms when people were digging out victims of the destruction. There was no color, no creed, no religion, no denomination that got in the way of compassion.
My wife and I watched the series Smallville. The story of Superman through his teenage and young adult years. Through out the series Clark Kent faced trial after trial on his journey to becoming the Man of Steel. Technically he was always the man of steel already having all his super powers. At the series end Clark was to face Darkside the ultimate evil who was going to take over the world and enslave the people. Darkside had marked those who had a dark side in them or sin. He marked them on their forehead with an omega symbol for the end. See anything there? At the end Clark had to realize who he was and what his destiny was and give the people hope. When he did this the symbols disappeared from their heads and Clark/Superman defeated Darkside.
The world is looking for a hero, but what they don't see is that the worlds hero has already came and has already defeated evil. Jesus Christ the son of God, Warrior, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Creator of the Universe. He came, saw, and kicked Satan's.....hiney. His love and compassion led Him to the cross to be the sacrifice and salvation of the world.
John 3:17,18
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Jesus may not be here physically. The bible says he sits at the right hand of the Father, but He is still with us and in us and His love and compassion become evident. Jesus is the true hero, but He has given us His power. Whenever a fireman rushes into a building to save someone. That is our hero. Whenever a police officer serves and protects. That is our hero. Whenever a rescue worker helps someone in need. That is our hero. Whenever a soldier defends his country. That is our hero. Whenever someone helps someone they don't know. That is our hero. When someone pulls someone out of a collapsed building. That is our hero.
You see, with the love and compassion of God in us through Jesus. We are the hero, but we couldn't be that hero without the true hero of Jesus.
In that 30 second eternity that we experience and we are afraid and we are crying out for a hero. We have to realize that our hero is with us no matter what the outcome. God is with us wherever we are, in whatever we are in. We don't see Him, but he is there. When it's over and we need help, His hand reaches out in the hands of each individual who races to the rescue. In our lives of 30 second eternities, we need Jesus our hero.
In Christ,
Kevin
Take The Day !!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Hell? Let's Just Settle It.
The reality of hell is becoming a hot topic of late (pun intended). I have encountered at least two beliefs, one that states all people are saved because of Jesus' sacrifice and won't go to hell and the other states that those who go to hell won't stay there for eternity. Of course these are not the only views of hell I have ever heard of or that exists. Some think we are currently living in hell and at times I almost feel inclined to agree with them. Some think that hell does not exist at all.
I have to be honest and say that I wonder sometimes what bible people are reading. I don't mean to be condescending, and I am all for discussion and different views and interpretation of scripture as long as it is held within the confines of the scripture. What I mean is the absolute answer to any discussion in the end should be the scripture itself. Until God reveals it to you or the understanding is brought to light, take it in a literal context. So what I would like to offer are some rebuttals as it were to statements being made concerning hell.
The first thing we should realize is that Satan is at work doing the same thing he's done since Adam and Eve. Deceiving. Satan deceived Eve in two ways. First he questioned God's word. He said, "Has God said you shouldn't eat of this tree?" (paraphrase). He questioned what God said, he questioned the Word. Today, it would be, the bible doesn't say homosexuality is a sin. The bible doesn't say people will spend eternity in hell?
Questions in the form of statements that are designed to cause the listener to doubt the truth of what they know. Eve however, refuted Satan with "Yes God did say we couldn't eat of that tree". She was firm on what she knew to be true. Satan then hit her with this. He said, "God doesn't want you to eat of that tree because he knows if you do then you will be like him and he won't be able to control you." (paraphrase). He did a character assassination against God and planted a seed of distrust in Eve against God's intentions toward Adam and her. The seeds of doubt and distrust produced the fruit of rebellion. Satan's very sin.
So allow me to tackle a couple of questions (statements).
1. Why would a caring and loving God send anyone to hell.
True. God is a loving and caring God and wouldn't send anyone to hell. People send themselves their by their own choice to reject Jesus.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:16-17
You see, what people are leaving out is the "choice" part. The part where responsibility is put on our shoulders. People don't want responsibility for their choices or rather they don't want consequences to their choices. So, no hell or consequence for rejecting Jesus and living in sin, no responsibility for sinful actions.
God created hell for Satan and the angels that rebelled. Mathew 25:41. Hell is the eternal consequence/judgement of sin. God is a loving yet just God. We have grace that when we miss the mark/fall/sin, we can go to Him and receive forgiveness. If we do not, then judgement. A judge does not set a criminal free if they are found guilty just because he likes the guy. Would it be right and just to allow those who rejected Jesus and lived sinful rebellious lives to enter the kingdom along with those who accepted Jesus and did their best to live right? The sacrifice of Jesus is there to save all people, but that sacrifice has to be received.
2. Hell isn't real, it is just symbolic.
Ok, symbolic of what? If it is symbolic of something then that something must be a hell of a place. (pun intended).
"And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." Luke 16:23
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment."
2 Peter 2:4
When the bible references hell, it is speaking of a literal place. What people also tend to neglect is the spiritual aspect of God. Whether you want to believe it or not there are two worlds in existence. The physical world that we are currently in and the spiritual world that we cannot see with our physical eyes. This where believing with out seeing comes into place. People who tap into the spirit world or claim to see ghosts are not exactly flaky. I don't believe they understand what they are seeing or experiencing, but they are experiencing. Think about people who have had near death experiences. They often recount hovering above their bodies and seeing people, but those people don't see them or they see people who have previously passed on yet no one else can. The veil between worlds is thin and we are meant operate in both yet carnality prevents the full extent and understanding. Hell is real, it's there and it's eternal.
The truth is that God loves and cares for everyone. Saints and sinners alike. We are all sinners. It's God's love and grace that we must accept and receive. God doesn't hate people who sin. He hates the sin. When my children do wrong. I have to correct them. I love my children, its the wrongs they do I don't like. When they are corrected the wrong will be corrected.
Satan to this day uses the same old tactic of doubt and unbelief to deceive people into rejecting Jesus and not believing in hell. No matter what people want to believe or not believe, it doesn't change the truth of hell. Now, what are we going to do with the truth of Hell? Let's Just Settle It.
In Christ,
Kevin
I have to be honest and say that I wonder sometimes what bible people are reading. I don't mean to be condescending, and I am all for discussion and different views and interpretation of scripture as long as it is held within the confines of the scripture. What I mean is the absolute answer to any discussion in the end should be the scripture itself. Until God reveals it to you or the understanding is brought to light, take it in a literal context. So what I would like to offer are some rebuttals as it were to statements being made concerning hell.
The first thing we should realize is that Satan is at work doing the same thing he's done since Adam and Eve. Deceiving. Satan deceived Eve in two ways. First he questioned God's word. He said, "Has God said you shouldn't eat of this tree?" (paraphrase). He questioned what God said, he questioned the Word. Today, it would be, the bible doesn't say homosexuality is a sin. The bible doesn't say people will spend eternity in hell?
Questions in the form of statements that are designed to cause the listener to doubt the truth of what they know. Eve however, refuted Satan with "Yes God did say we couldn't eat of that tree". She was firm on what she knew to be true. Satan then hit her with this. He said, "God doesn't want you to eat of that tree because he knows if you do then you will be like him and he won't be able to control you." (paraphrase). He did a character assassination against God and planted a seed of distrust in Eve against God's intentions toward Adam and her. The seeds of doubt and distrust produced the fruit of rebellion. Satan's very sin.
So allow me to tackle a couple of questions (statements).
1. Why would a caring and loving God send anyone to hell.
True. God is a loving and caring God and wouldn't send anyone to hell. People send themselves their by their own choice to reject Jesus.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:16-17
You see, what people are leaving out is the "choice" part. The part where responsibility is put on our shoulders. People don't want responsibility for their choices or rather they don't want consequences to their choices. So, no hell or consequence for rejecting Jesus and living in sin, no responsibility for sinful actions.
God created hell for Satan and the angels that rebelled. Mathew 25:41. Hell is the eternal consequence/judgement of sin. God is a loving yet just God. We have grace that when we miss the mark/fall/sin, we can go to Him and receive forgiveness. If we do not, then judgement. A judge does not set a criminal free if they are found guilty just because he likes the guy. Would it be right and just to allow those who rejected Jesus and lived sinful rebellious lives to enter the kingdom along with those who accepted Jesus and did their best to live right? The sacrifice of Jesus is there to save all people, but that sacrifice has to be received.
2. Hell isn't real, it is just symbolic.
Ok, symbolic of what? If it is symbolic of something then that something must be a hell of a place. (pun intended).
"And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." Luke 16:23
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment."
2 Peter 2:4
When the bible references hell, it is speaking of a literal place. What people also tend to neglect is the spiritual aspect of God. Whether you want to believe it or not there are two worlds in existence. The physical world that we are currently in and the spiritual world that we cannot see with our physical eyes. This where believing with out seeing comes into place. People who tap into the spirit world or claim to see ghosts are not exactly flaky. I don't believe they understand what they are seeing or experiencing, but they are experiencing. Think about people who have had near death experiences. They often recount hovering above their bodies and seeing people, but those people don't see them or they see people who have previously passed on yet no one else can. The veil between worlds is thin and we are meant operate in both yet carnality prevents the full extent and understanding. Hell is real, it's there and it's eternal.
The truth is that God loves and cares for everyone. Saints and sinners alike. We are all sinners. It's God's love and grace that we must accept and receive. God doesn't hate people who sin. He hates the sin. When my children do wrong. I have to correct them. I love my children, its the wrongs they do I don't like. When they are corrected the wrong will be corrected.
Satan to this day uses the same old tactic of doubt and unbelief to deceive people into rejecting Jesus and not believing in hell. No matter what people want to believe or not believe, it doesn't change the truth of hell. Now, what are we going to do with the truth of Hell? Let's Just Settle It.
In Christ,
Kevin
Sunday, March 13, 2011
One Size Fits All
I just read a short blog post by Mary one of the young girls of my church. In her post she begins with questioning why she wakes up in the early hours of the morning with thoughts of the worlds troubles on her mind and heart. Most recently the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. She mentions child abuse and the danger of escaped criminals a well.
This young lady's family is big by some standards. There are ten children, eight girls and two boys. Each one of them have been raised in a Christian home. There father, whom passed away a couple of years ago, was/is a kind, meek, and wise man. He was/is also firm standing in the care of his family and serving the Lord. Their mother has been and still is their constant. She is the glue and connection they all have with each other. Each child is unique and outstanding yet you can see the same heart.
Satan has forever done his best to destroy the fabric of the family. His tactics are plain and easy to see, divorce, abuse, abandonment, etc., with these he seeks to kill, steal, and destroy, that which God has ordained to be the first place His love is to be present. Young girls like Mary, grow up with out fathers or with abusive fathers or absent fathers. Girls who grow up with these circumstances often are led into lives of self destruction and exploited by the twisted minds of others
In the movie "The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers", Aragorn catches Eowyn niece of King Theoden practicing with a sword. Aragorn comments on her skill with a sword and Eowyn responds, "The women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them.". Later in the third movie of the trilogy "Return of The King", we see Eowyn in battle armor riding out to war with the other soldiers.
One of our commissions from God is Proverbs 22:6 which says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
The one thing the enemy does his best at keeping us from doing is training our children how to fight spiritually. We want our children to learn to defend themselves from bully's and anyone who would try to hurt them physically, but we can neglect the defense against Satan who seeks to harm them spiritually. We must gird up ourselves and shake off hesitancy and fear, and set ourselves to teach our children to be warriors. Laochra Eirigi, Warrior Arise.
We must teach our children boys and girls how to wear the Armor of God. You have probably seen the cartoon pictures of a child wearing God's armor that was too big and the idea was for the child to grow into it. I am not downing that at all, but here is a different view. The Armor of God that is given to us already fits. It fits us perfectly as children and as we grow, it grows with us. One size fits all. The training doesn't come in learning to grow into the armor, it comes in learning to how to use it. Part of the problem is that sometimes we ourselves don't know how to use it.
A friend of mine posted this on facebook. His seven year old daughter woke up one night after having a nightmare. His daughter told him that when she woke up that she thought instead of running to daddy she prayed to God to take the bad dreams away and told Satan to get out in the name of Jesus. That my friends is training your child.
" Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. " Ephesians 6:11-12
The shoes of the gospel of peace, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, and prayers of supplication.
Battles are brief but wars are longer. We are in a war where battles are won and lost. The war has already been won, but the battles are daily and must be won. Soldiers don't fight for themselves. They fight for others. Their king, their country, their people. Jesus is our King. The Kingdom of Heaven our country. God's creation of man our people.
Laochra Eirigi, Warrior Arise. Learn your armor. Learn what it's for. Learn how to use it, then teach your children. Begin sowing those seeds into them. They aren't too young. They aren't too small. One Size Fits All.
In Christ,
Kevin
This young lady's family is big by some standards. There are ten children, eight girls and two boys. Each one of them have been raised in a Christian home. There father, whom passed away a couple of years ago, was/is a kind, meek, and wise man. He was/is also firm standing in the care of his family and serving the Lord. Their mother has been and still is their constant. She is the glue and connection they all have with each other. Each child is unique and outstanding yet you can see the same heart.
Satan has forever done his best to destroy the fabric of the family. His tactics are plain and easy to see, divorce, abuse, abandonment, etc., with these he seeks to kill, steal, and destroy, that which God has ordained to be the first place His love is to be present. Young girls like Mary, grow up with out fathers or with abusive fathers or absent fathers. Girls who grow up with these circumstances often are led into lives of self destruction and exploited by the twisted minds of others
In the movie "The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers", Aragorn catches Eowyn niece of King Theoden practicing with a sword. Aragorn comments on her skill with a sword and Eowyn responds, "The women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them.". Later in the third movie of the trilogy "Return of The King", we see Eowyn in battle armor riding out to war with the other soldiers.
One of our commissions from God is Proverbs 22:6 which says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
The one thing the enemy does his best at keeping us from doing is training our children how to fight spiritually. We want our children to learn to defend themselves from bully's and anyone who would try to hurt them physically, but we can neglect the defense against Satan who seeks to harm them spiritually. We must gird up ourselves and shake off hesitancy and fear, and set ourselves to teach our children to be warriors. Laochra Eirigi, Warrior Arise.
We must teach our children boys and girls how to wear the Armor of God. You have probably seen the cartoon pictures of a child wearing God's armor that was too big and the idea was for the child to grow into it. I am not downing that at all, but here is a different view. The Armor of God that is given to us already fits. It fits us perfectly as children and as we grow, it grows with us. One size fits all. The training doesn't come in learning to grow into the armor, it comes in learning to how to use it. Part of the problem is that sometimes we ourselves don't know how to use it.
A friend of mine posted this on facebook. His seven year old daughter woke up one night after having a nightmare. His daughter told him that when she woke up that she thought instead of running to daddy she prayed to God to take the bad dreams away and told Satan to get out in the name of Jesus. That my friends is training your child.
" Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. " Ephesians 6:11-12
The shoes of the gospel of peace, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, and prayers of supplication.
Battles are brief but wars are longer. We are in a war where battles are won and lost. The war has already been won, but the battles are daily and must be won. Soldiers don't fight for themselves. They fight for others. Their king, their country, their people. Jesus is our King. The Kingdom of Heaven our country. God's creation of man our people.
Laochra Eirigi, Warrior Arise. Learn your armor. Learn what it's for. Learn how to use it, then teach your children. Begin sowing those seeds into them. They aren't too young. They aren't too small. One Size Fits All.
In Christ,
Kevin
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Hollywood Death Machine
Hooray for Hollywood
You may be homely in your neighbourhood
But if you think that you can be an actor, see Mr. Factor
He'll make a monkey look good
Within a half an hour you'll look like Tyrone Power
Hooray for Hollywood
That's part of the lyrics to the song "Hooray For Hollywood" which first debut in the 1937 film "Hollywood Hotel". The song was actually a kind of in fun satire of the Hollywood film industry at the time. The tune is now more recognizable than the actual lyrics themselves. Most people probably wouldn't understand the songs references today, wikipedia will be your friend if you want to know.
With out a doubt, the Hollywood of today is not the Hollywood of yesteryear. Things that were edgy then and shocking are less than that today. Numerous songs and movies about people abandoning all to move to L.A. to pursue their dreams of being actors and actress', singers and entertainers, have been made. The comedies and the tragedies, art imitating life.
Hollywood has been adept at changing lives for better or for worse. Within the last few years or so, I believe we are seeing how Hollywood is changing lives for the worse. Of course the first examples I think of are Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus. But, let's consider the divorces, the deaths, the political ramblings and activism. As Christian singer Carmen put it in his song "Soap Song", gone are the days of "Leave It To Beaver, Matt Dillon and his sidekick Festus". Again, wikipedia will be your friend.
Oh, I know that Hollywood has never been perfect. Expose programs tell you that. You find out things about celebrities that you really wished you hadn't. The hedonistic this is what we all do somehow someway if you do it's ok and if you don't then go away lifestyle of the people of the silver screen and vinyl discs (wikipedia) is shown without rereservation today.
Don't get me wrong. I like movies and music, but let's not forget that those things that appeal to the flesh are those things that Satan uses to kill, steal, and destroy. Think about it. Think about Lindsey, Britney, and Miley. All have started out with fresh faced innocence only to be prostituted and marred and scarred by scandal all for the greed of someone else. Shame on their parents for letting it happen to them, shame on them for keeping it, and shame on us for buying it.
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Philippians 3:18,19
It is sad to see older stars and celebrities hardened set in their ways and lifestyles and it equally sad to see young stars and celebrities on the road to becoming that way. I am sure if they were to be completely honest, they would say the lights of Hollywood don't shine as bright as they did on their tv screens. The god of greed, fame and fortune feed their belly's with an unsatisfying meal. Their glory comes only in the shame of scandal which have become badges of honor.
Countless people have fallen prey to the Hollywood dream and not all of them are the celebrities we adore. They are often us. In our quest for fulfillment, our need for escape, and want of a different life than what we have, we cast ourselves at the feet of entertainment. We spend our money for DVDs and Cd's and the better cable package. (raised hand) Guilty. It's not just the Lindsey's and Britney's, the Heath Ledger's and Charlie Sheen's that Satan is after with the weapon of Hollywood. He was looking for a billion souls with one shot.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1,2
Only by the application of the Word of God to our lives can we expect to prosper in anything. Only by realizing that things have a hold on us and not us on them and choosing to break free can we avoid the enemies traps. I believe unless or until God tells you someone is unreachable their is a chance, a hope. That means there is hope for Hollywood. When we realize that Satan nor Hollywood is bigger than God or God in us, we can destroy the Hollywood Death Machine.
In Christ,
Kevin
You may be homely in your neighbourhood
But if you think that you can be an actor, see Mr. Factor
He'll make a monkey look good
Within a half an hour you'll look like Tyrone Power
Hooray for Hollywood
That's part of the lyrics to the song "Hooray For Hollywood" which first debut in the 1937 film "Hollywood Hotel". The song was actually a kind of in fun satire of the Hollywood film industry at the time. The tune is now more recognizable than the actual lyrics themselves. Most people probably wouldn't understand the songs references today, wikipedia will be your friend if you want to know.
With out a doubt, the Hollywood of today is not the Hollywood of yesteryear. Things that were edgy then and shocking are less than that today. Numerous songs and movies about people abandoning all to move to L.A. to pursue their dreams of being actors and actress', singers and entertainers, have been made. The comedies and the tragedies, art imitating life.
Hollywood has been adept at changing lives for better or for worse. Within the last few years or so, I believe we are seeing how Hollywood is changing lives for the worse. Of course the first examples I think of are Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus. But, let's consider the divorces, the deaths, the political ramblings and activism. As Christian singer Carmen put it in his song "Soap Song", gone are the days of "Leave It To Beaver, Matt Dillon and his sidekick Festus". Again, wikipedia will be your friend.
Oh, I know that Hollywood has never been perfect. Expose programs tell you that. You find out things about celebrities that you really wished you hadn't. The hedonistic this is what we all do somehow someway if you do it's ok and if you don't then go away lifestyle of the people of the silver screen and vinyl discs (wikipedia) is shown without rereservation today.
Don't get me wrong. I like movies and music, but let's not forget that those things that appeal to the flesh are those things that Satan uses to kill, steal, and destroy. Think about it. Think about Lindsey, Britney, and Miley. All have started out with fresh faced innocence only to be prostituted and marred and scarred by scandal all for the greed of someone else. Shame on their parents for letting it happen to them, shame on them for keeping it, and shame on us for buying it.
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Philippians 3:18,19
It is sad to see older stars and celebrities hardened set in their ways and lifestyles and it equally sad to see young stars and celebrities on the road to becoming that way. I am sure if they were to be completely honest, they would say the lights of Hollywood don't shine as bright as they did on their tv screens. The god of greed, fame and fortune feed their belly's with an unsatisfying meal. Their glory comes only in the shame of scandal which have become badges of honor.
Countless people have fallen prey to the Hollywood dream and not all of them are the celebrities we adore. They are often us. In our quest for fulfillment, our need for escape, and want of a different life than what we have, we cast ourselves at the feet of entertainment. We spend our money for DVDs and Cd's and the better cable package. (raised hand) Guilty. It's not just the Lindsey's and Britney's, the Heath Ledger's and Charlie Sheen's that Satan is after with the weapon of Hollywood. He was looking for a billion souls with one shot.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1,2
Only by the application of the Word of God to our lives can we expect to prosper in anything. Only by realizing that things have a hold on us and not us on them and choosing to break free can we avoid the enemies traps. I believe unless or until God tells you someone is unreachable their is a chance, a hope. That means there is hope for Hollywood. When we realize that Satan nor Hollywood is bigger than God or God in us, we can destroy the Hollywood Death Machine.
In Christ,
Kevin
Saturday, January 22, 2011
To The Dearly Departed
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart form the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1 Timothy 4:1-2
This is often a scripture used when someone is giving a sermon on prophecy and the end times. It is often used in a manner as a warning to somewhat shock or evoke a fearful wonder at what is going to happen. I myself have never really dwelt much on this scripture as this particular end time happening seemed long in coming. I was wrong. I was wrong in the fact that end time events don't just happen suddenly. They kind of sneak up on you or at least that's what it may seem like. In reality the preparations and stage settings for prophetic events begin years, decades, and even centuries earlier.
I believe this particular prophetic event is one of the absolute oldest in it's beginnings. The enemy, Satan , began the campaign of this scripture with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In the garden of Eden, nothing was withheld from Adam and Eve save for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis chapter 3 recounts the event of the fall of man, with the deception of Eve. The serpent beguiled or seduced Eve into questioning God's command concerning the tree. He did this by using two tactics that the enemy still uses today. He questioned her in such a way as to cause doubt (or confusion ) about what God had said. Did God really say not to eat of that tree? Was that what God really meant? Eve, speaking the Word of God back to him said yes, that is what God said. It would be the Word of God, because it is what God said and commanded, just not in written form as His Word the Bible.
This is possibly the first instance of the Word being used against the enemy's deceptions. Another would be when Jesus spoke the Word back to him in the desert wilderness when Jesus was to be tempted. When Eve spoke the Word back to him, the next tactic he used was to slander God and put the seeds of doubt and mistrust in Eve's mind about God's intentions. He, the serpent, said to her out rite that God did not want them to eat of the tree because He, God, knew that if they did, they would be like Him and He didn't want them to become as He was. Basically the serpent told her that God wanted to keep them dumb so he could rule over them.
Satan has been using these two and other tactics to deceive and seduce people away from God. Many "Christians" and church denominations have fallen prey to his deceptions over the past decade. There are ministers who preach an adulterated and heretical gospel. Denominations that accept lifestyles that are blatantly contrary to God's word and His commandments. What is troubling are the individual people who have been drawn away from God by either these same type deceptions or have left because of the effects of these and other things the church and church people have messed up.
I have friend whom I have know since I was little. My friend's family were of a denomination different than mine. During our mid to late teens, my mother had an accident which prevented us from attending our church regularly. My friend invited me to come to his church for a while. The difference between our respective denominations was easy to see. I believe that God was using this as part of His plan and destiny for me. A whole new world was open to me. I had a new desire and hunger for God. I will say that where my denomination was hard lined, my friend's was open and where mine was open, his was a bit more hard lined.
To make a long story short, my friend had some hurtful experiences from some church people and from things in his home and personal life. These things I believe were the seeds of doubt and confusion being planted by the enemy. My friend entered a local collage and was then subject to the secular humanistic teachings and beliefs of his professors. These things watered the already planted seeds. Today my friend, the one who God used to lead me to a higher place in Him and start me on His path for me, no longer believes in God. He believes there is a higher power, but it is not the God that we understand created the universe and all that is in it. It would take too long to explain exactly what he believes, but that is the sum of it.
People leave the church or Christianity for many various reasons. I believe some, like my friend, mostly from hurts and lack of understanding. People will either be mad at God, not fully understanding that God did not cause what happened or that what they have seen is not how God truly is or they are not mad at God but dis-associate themselves with all things christian, which actually leads to their dis-association to God. Still, there are others who want to believe, but make God in the image that fits how they want to believe and live. Some ministers and denominations have chosen to accept, believe, and promote, ideas and lifestyles that the bible is against because of greed, fame, and the approval of men. All of these scenarios equate to having given heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
I want to encourage you. Read, study, pray, and seek God for yourself. Build a personal relationship with Him. The Word of God admonishes us to get understanding. Seek understanding and wisdom. By these you will be able to stand when things are hurtful and not be led into error by false teachings. I say this to strengthen those who may be in such a place or have been and as lifeline To The Dearly Departed.
In Christ,
Kevin
This is often a scripture used when someone is giving a sermon on prophecy and the end times. It is often used in a manner as a warning to somewhat shock or evoke a fearful wonder at what is going to happen. I myself have never really dwelt much on this scripture as this particular end time happening seemed long in coming. I was wrong. I was wrong in the fact that end time events don't just happen suddenly. They kind of sneak up on you or at least that's what it may seem like. In reality the preparations and stage settings for prophetic events begin years, decades, and even centuries earlier.
I believe this particular prophetic event is one of the absolute oldest in it's beginnings. The enemy, Satan , began the campaign of this scripture with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In the garden of Eden, nothing was withheld from Adam and Eve save for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis chapter 3 recounts the event of the fall of man, with the deception of Eve. The serpent beguiled or seduced Eve into questioning God's command concerning the tree. He did this by using two tactics that the enemy still uses today. He questioned her in such a way as to cause doubt (or confusion ) about what God had said. Did God really say not to eat of that tree? Was that what God really meant? Eve, speaking the Word of God back to him said yes, that is what God said. It would be the Word of God, because it is what God said and commanded, just not in written form as His Word the Bible.
This is possibly the first instance of the Word being used against the enemy's deceptions. Another would be when Jesus spoke the Word back to him in the desert wilderness when Jesus was to be tempted. When Eve spoke the Word back to him, the next tactic he used was to slander God and put the seeds of doubt and mistrust in Eve's mind about God's intentions. He, the serpent, said to her out rite that God did not want them to eat of the tree because He, God, knew that if they did, they would be like Him and He didn't want them to become as He was. Basically the serpent told her that God wanted to keep them dumb so he could rule over them.
Satan has been using these two and other tactics to deceive and seduce people away from God. Many "Christians" and church denominations have fallen prey to his deceptions over the past decade. There are ministers who preach an adulterated and heretical gospel. Denominations that accept lifestyles that are blatantly contrary to God's word and His commandments. What is troubling are the individual people who have been drawn away from God by either these same type deceptions or have left because of the effects of these and other things the church and church people have messed up.
I have friend whom I have know since I was little. My friend's family were of a denomination different than mine. During our mid to late teens, my mother had an accident which prevented us from attending our church regularly. My friend invited me to come to his church for a while. The difference between our respective denominations was easy to see. I believe that God was using this as part of His plan and destiny for me. A whole new world was open to me. I had a new desire and hunger for God. I will say that where my denomination was hard lined, my friend's was open and where mine was open, his was a bit more hard lined.
To make a long story short, my friend had some hurtful experiences from some church people and from things in his home and personal life. These things I believe were the seeds of doubt and confusion being planted by the enemy. My friend entered a local collage and was then subject to the secular humanistic teachings and beliefs of his professors. These things watered the already planted seeds. Today my friend, the one who God used to lead me to a higher place in Him and start me on His path for me, no longer believes in God. He believes there is a higher power, but it is not the God that we understand created the universe and all that is in it. It would take too long to explain exactly what he believes, but that is the sum of it.
People leave the church or Christianity for many various reasons. I believe some, like my friend, mostly from hurts and lack of understanding. People will either be mad at God, not fully understanding that God did not cause what happened or that what they have seen is not how God truly is or they are not mad at God but dis-associate themselves with all things christian, which actually leads to their dis-association to God. Still, there are others who want to believe, but make God in the image that fits how they want to believe and live. Some ministers and denominations have chosen to accept, believe, and promote, ideas and lifestyles that the bible is against because of greed, fame, and the approval of men. All of these scenarios equate to having given heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
I want to encourage you. Read, study, pray, and seek God for yourself. Build a personal relationship with Him. The Word of God admonishes us to get understanding. Seek understanding and wisdom. By these you will be able to stand when things are hurtful and not be led into error by false teachings. I say this to strengthen those who may be in such a place or have been and as lifeline To The Dearly Departed.
In Christ,
Kevin
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Finding Christmas
I like like the song " Where Are You Christmas" from the movie "How The Grinch Stole Christmas". It's one of those songs that you like but at the same time makes you sad. When I first heard the song, which was when I first saw the movie, it seemed to fit how I had been feeling. I love Christmas and Christmas time, but over the years something seems to have happened and Christmas wasn't the same.
Christmas for me has always been wonderful. Everything about this time of year excited me. Doing Christmas crafts in school, Christmas decorations everywhere, Christmas movies and cartoons, the cold weather, church Christmas plays, Christmas music, the sites and sounds and smells of Christmas, and family get together'. All of these things and more were for me the magic of the season.
My family and my uncle and aunt on my mother's side, would always meet at my grandmother's house on Christmas Eve. My grandmother's house was unique. There was a fireplace in the kitchen where we liked to poke the burning wood with the poker and we even roasted marshmallows over the fire. In the kitchen was where we all would eat, even though it was kinda small. My cousins and I were of course resigned to the kiddie table. Out of the kitchen there was a short hallway that opened into a small bedroom and then through the bedroom was a large living room with several old couches and chairs. This is where we opened our presents.
After Christmas at my grandmothers, we would go home and for me, later on that night Santa Clause would come. It was always a little fun to sneak and look for my presents. It was fun because I knew when something was missing. Then there was that fateful Christmas when Santa Clause didn't come. His helpers thought I had gotten too old to get gifts from Santa Clause.
Some years later after my brother and sister had moved out of our house, my grandfather passed away and my grandmother was forced to move out of her house. After that, marriages and moving' and various passing' of other family members seemed to separate the family on both my mother and fathers side. We no longer met for Christmas as we used to.
Now, I still love Christmas, but it seemed to have lost some of that magic it used to have. It wasn't the same anymore, so when I heard the " Where Are You Christmas " song, I was deeply saddened. Over the years I did what I could to make Christmas wondrous again and after the birth of my children, I really wanted it to be something special to them as it was to me as a child. I love watching them experience Christmas. I began to realize that like the song, Christmas had not left me. It had grown and changed, but it was still Christmas.
This Christmas I have received two special gifts. One was that my family from my mother's side all came to visit at my parents house for Christmas with my grandmother. Some of the family wasn't able to be there, but I enjoyed getting to see them all after so long. The next gift I have gotten is an answer to the question about certain Christmas celebrations.
You see, for years now Christmas has not only been attacked from outside the church, but inside as well. Well meaning saints who believe we should shun all things that have any hint of pagan origin. Christmas trees, elves, and even Santa Clause himself. Some think that if we allow our children to believe in Santa Clause and they find out he isn't real then because they don't see Jesus physically they will believe he isn't real. I am not going to enter that debate ( though I could ). Like all things it is a heart issue and it is what you teach your children.
Proverbs 22:6 " Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
It's like this, have you ever had to untangle Christmas lights? When you first buy Christmas lights they aren't tangled up. They come in a nice package neatly wound or stranded on a piece of plastic or cardboard and you take them off and hang them. Then, after you take them down after Christmas, sometime in between that and taking them out to put hem up again the next Christmas, they somehow get into a tangled mess. Well, Christmas among other things have become like those tangled Christmas lights.
The manufacturer of the Christmas lights never intended for the lights to be tangled, and likewise God the creator of Christmas, never intended for the magic and miracle or meaning of Christmas to be twisted and tangled. Paganism, like any false religion is nothing more than a tangling or twisting of the truth. The enemy, Satan is a created being who's purpose and design was twisted by the sin of his heart. He, Satan, wants to be like God, but he cannot create like God, he can only tangle and twist what God has already created.
I believe that if you were to really search, you would find that most Christmas traditions and beliefs are rooted in pointing people to the miracle birth of Jesus Christ whom it is that we truly celebrate on Christmas. It was Gods love for his creation/His children/His family that Jesus was born and to be our savior. I believe that is why family being together especially at Christmas time means so much.
In most churches there is a table that usually a bible or communion set is placed on. On the front of the table is often inscribed the phrase " This Do In Remembrance of Me", meaning whenever you take communion do it in remembrance of the one who was the true flesh and blood sacrament. I believe that at Christmas, whatever we do, we do in remembrance of Him and in His celebration. The joy, the love, the excitement, the magic and wonder of Christmas will mean so much more and we won't have any trouble Finding Christmas.
In Christ,
Kevin
Christmas for me has always been wonderful. Everything about this time of year excited me. Doing Christmas crafts in school, Christmas decorations everywhere, Christmas movies and cartoons, the cold weather, church Christmas plays, Christmas music, the sites and sounds and smells of Christmas, and family get together'. All of these things and more were for me the magic of the season.
My family and my uncle and aunt on my mother's side, would always meet at my grandmother's house on Christmas Eve. My grandmother's house was unique. There was a fireplace in the kitchen where we liked to poke the burning wood with the poker and we even roasted marshmallows over the fire. In the kitchen was where we all would eat, even though it was kinda small. My cousins and I were of course resigned to the kiddie table. Out of the kitchen there was a short hallway that opened into a small bedroom and then through the bedroom was a large living room with several old couches and chairs. This is where we opened our presents.
After Christmas at my grandmothers, we would go home and for me, later on that night Santa Clause would come. It was always a little fun to sneak and look for my presents. It was fun because I knew when something was missing. Then there was that fateful Christmas when Santa Clause didn't come. His helpers thought I had gotten too old to get gifts from Santa Clause.
Some years later after my brother and sister had moved out of our house, my grandfather passed away and my grandmother was forced to move out of her house. After that, marriages and moving' and various passing' of other family members seemed to separate the family on both my mother and fathers side. We no longer met for Christmas as we used to.
Now, I still love Christmas, but it seemed to have lost some of that magic it used to have. It wasn't the same anymore, so when I heard the " Where Are You Christmas " song, I was deeply saddened. Over the years I did what I could to make Christmas wondrous again and after the birth of my children, I really wanted it to be something special to them as it was to me as a child. I love watching them experience Christmas. I began to realize that like the song, Christmas had not left me. It had grown and changed, but it was still Christmas.
This Christmas I have received two special gifts. One was that my family from my mother's side all came to visit at my parents house for Christmas with my grandmother. Some of the family wasn't able to be there, but I enjoyed getting to see them all after so long. The next gift I have gotten is an answer to the question about certain Christmas celebrations.
You see, for years now Christmas has not only been attacked from outside the church, but inside as well. Well meaning saints who believe we should shun all things that have any hint of pagan origin. Christmas trees, elves, and even Santa Clause himself. Some think that if we allow our children to believe in Santa Clause and they find out he isn't real then because they don't see Jesus physically they will believe he isn't real. I am not going to enter that debate ( though I could ). Like all things it is a heart issue and it is what you teach your children.
Proverbs 22:6 " Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
It's like this, have you ever had to untangle Christmas lights? When you first buy Christmas lights they aren't tangled up. They come in a nice package neatly wound or stranded on a piece of plastic or cardboard and you take them off and hang them. Then, after you take them down after Christmas, sometime in between that and taking them out to put hem up again the next Christmas, they somehow get into a tangled mess. Well, Christmas among other things have become like those tangled Christmas lights.
The manufacturer of the Christmas lights never intended for the lights to be tangled, and likewise God the creator of Christmas, never intended for the magic and miracle or meaning of Christmas to be twisted and tangled. Paganism, like any false religion is nothing more than a tangling or twisting of the truth. The enemy, Satan is a created being who's purpose and design was twisted by the sin of his heart. He, Satan, wants to be like God, but he cannot create like God, he can only tangle and twist what God has already created.
I believe that if you were to really search, you would find that most Christmas traditions and beliefs are rooted in pointing people to the miracle birth of Jesus Christ whom it is that we truly celebrate on Christmas. It was Gods love for his creation/His children/His family that Jesus was born and to be our savior. I believe that is why family being together especially at Christmas time means so much.
In most churches there is a table that usually a bible or communion set is placed on. On the front of the table is often inscribed the phrase " This Do In Remembrance of Me", meaning whenever you take communion do it in remembrance of the one who was the true flesh and blood sacrament. I believe that at Christmas, whatever we do, we do in remembrance of Him and in His celebration. The joy, the love, the excitement, the magic and wonder of Christmas will mean so much more and we won't have any trouble Finding Christmas.
In Christ,
Kevin
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday
On Halloween, which was on a Sunday this year, a friend and I were making an impromptu run to Wal-Mart between church services. As we were walking in, my friend saw the huge Christmas tree Wal- Mart had put up in front of the main aisle. My friend said, "No, tell me it ain't so, Halloween isn't even over yet and they have started putting out Christmas decorations!". I kinda laughed to myself at his statement, but then had this thought. Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday.
It seems as though every year stores begin to put out Christmas items earlier and earlier. It even seemed to me that this year was the first time they were put out even before Halloween had come and gone. We are used to the idea of the world trying to take Christ out of Christmas and certain media outlets and stores saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", but we have never noticed that there is not much said about Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I know there are few Thanksgiving specials and things of that nature, but usually they are not seen until maybe a week before the holiday. I noticed that even though there are a lot of fall decorations, I have not seen much specifically Thanksgiving themed and again the Christmas decorations that are always available before.
Today being Thanksgiving, I know that most people are readying themselves to see family and friends and eat all the wonderful food that will be prepared. I know that my title may even seem a bit odd for an article on this very day, but if you know me, you know there is more to be seen. So, with that said, here it is. Why Thanksgiving?
Beyond what we traditionally know as Thanksgiving holiday and this nations history and the why and how Thanksgiving became a holiday, Why be thankful and to whom? Even though it is seldom said, we usually go with the knowledge that we are giving thanks to God for the blessings he has given us. We are thankful for our families, for our jobs, our homes, our friends, etc., but we often forget things that we are so used to that we do not think about them.
Take a moment and go get a mirror or go stand in front of one. Now, look at yourself. Don't do a quick look, take a few moments and pay attention to your features. Your hair, your eyes, your skin, your shape ( don't get depressed, I could lose a few to ). Take a few moments and just notice yourself. Now consider this, God created what you are looking at. Down to the most minuscule detail of you, God created you. When God created you, He broke the mold. Oh, there are people in the world who will look like you and favor your characteristics, but even identical twins are not 100% to most minute detail identical. When God created you He had a purpose for you. I don't know what your purpose may be but I know God wouldn't have created you without one.
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
God had our purpose and plans settled before we were even born. The knowledge of that should be enough to settle in us any doubts and fears that we have about who we are and where we should be going. You may not know specifically what, but you do know there is. This is one thing we can be thankful for. That we were created special and have a special purpose.
Giving thanks to God for everything is vital. It makes us feel good when do something that helps someone else and they show and express their gratitude. We get an emotion boost and we feel love and approval. God is not devoid of emotion or need. It was God who gave us our emotions.
Hebrews 13:15,16 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
To give or offer thanks to God pleases Him. It is a sacrifice for us because our carnal natures do not want to do it. Giving thanks to God shows Him our love and acceptance of Him as our God and Jesus as our Lord.
In our holiday festivities, I encourage you to pull away by yourself for a few moments and give God your true expression of thanks. Thank Him for His many blessings to you and for the blessing of you and let us not make Thanksgiving the forgotten holiday.
In Christ,
Kevin
It seems as though every year stores begin to put out Christmas items earlier and earlier. It even seemed to me that this year was the first time they were put out even before Halloween had come and gone. We are used to the idea of the world trying to take Christ out of Christmas and certain media outlets and stores saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", but we have never noticed that there is not much said about Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I know there are few Thanksgiving specials and things of that nature, but usually they are not seen until maybe a week before the holiday. I noticed that even though there are a lot of fall decorations, I have not seen much specifically Thanksgiving themed and again the Christmas decorations that are always available before.
Today being Thanksgiving, I know that most people are readying themselves to see family and friends and eat all the wonderful food that will be prepared. I know that my title may even seem a bit odd for an article on this very day, but if you know me, you know there is more to be seen. So, with that said, here it is. Why Thanksgiving?
Beyond what we traditionally know as Thanksgiving holiday and this nations history and the why and how Thanksgiving became a holiday, Why be thankful and to whom? Even though it is seldom said, we usually go with the knowledge that we are giving thanks to God for the blessings he has given us. We are thankful for our families, for our jobs, our homes, our friends, etc., but we often forget things that we are so used to that we do not think about them.
Take a moment and go get a mirror or go stand in front of one. Now, look at yourself. Don't do a quick look, take a few moments and pay attention to your features. Your hair, your eyes, your skin, your shape ( don't get depressed, I could lose a few to ). Take a few moments and just notice yourself. Now consider this, God created what you are looking at. Down to the most minuscule detail of you, God created you. When God created you, He broke the mold. Oh, there are people in the world who will look like you and favor your characteristics, but even identical twins are not 100% to most minute detail identical. When God created you He had a purpose for you. I don't know what your purpose may be but I know God wouldn't have created you without one.
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
God had our purpose and plans settled before we were even born. The knowledge of that should be enough to settle in us any doubts and fears that we have about who we are and where we should be going. You may not know specifically what, but you do know there is. This is one thing we can be thankful for. That we were created special and have a special purpose.
Giving thanks to God for everything is vital. It makes us feel good when do something that helps someone else and they show and express their gratitude. We get an emotion boost and we feel love and approval. God is not devoid of emotion or need. It was God who gave us our emotions.
Hebrews 13:15,16 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
To give or offer thanks to God pleases Him. It is a sacrifice for us because our carnal natures do not want to do it. Giving thanks to God shows Him our love and acceptance of Him as our God and Jesus as our Lord.
In our holiday festivities, I encourage you to pull away by yourself for a few moments and give God your true expression of thanks. Thank Him for His many blessings to you and for the blessing of you and let us not make Thanksgiving the forgotten holiday.
In Christ,
Kevin
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Wisdom Of Walnut Grove
I never really used to watch Little House On The Prairie a whole lot when I was younger, but I never disliked it. My wife used to watch it and had introduced it to our daughters who now love the show, too. In watching with my family I have regained a like for the show.
Based upon the true life story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House On The Prairie takes you back to life in a small town of Walnut Grove in the 1800s. Simple, yet not without hardships.
The Ingall's time and again would show us happiness, sadness, fear, and Christian resolve. In a particular episode there was an elderly man who lived alone in a big house. The house looked old and run down as he had not taken care of it for years. Laura and some other children thought the house was haunted and the old man was a maniac. After being teased about being afraid of going up to the house an touching it, Laura finds herself inside the house and face to face with the old man. Eventually, Laura befriends the old man and learns why he has lived alone all those years. The old man's wife had passed away some years before and in his grief he had chosen to believe she was still alive and living in the city. Once Laura had discovered that the old man's wife was dead, her heart went out to him. Laura began reading her bible and found a verse that she knew would help the old man.
" Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25,26
Through the compassion of a child and acceptance of the Word of God, the old man believed in Jesus and and was healed of his grief.
Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life. When we are born into this life we are born into the sin and death of this world. God never intended for it to be that way, but he made the way of redemption. When we believe in and receive Jesus as our savior we are redeemed and resurrected from the sin and death of the world. That does not mean that we no longer give ourselves over to sin and death. Our spirits have been redeemed and made righteous, our flesh and carnal desires are a daily battle.
In another episode Mary, Laura's older sister, was asked to come and teach children in a remote settlement. While there an older woman, who had gained prominence for reciting biblical verses and supposedly could call down lightning from heaven, called Mary a Jezebel and had the people make her leave.
Mary hurt and upset began talking to her father about the situation. Mary knew that she had been lied about and knew what was going on. A good thing had been destroyed because of a misguided woman's fear. The children were learning and would gain knowledge and understanding that she (the woman) did not have. In talking to her father Mary reached a resolve. Charles, Mary's father didn't have to say much, he just listened. Mary went back to the settlement and confronted the woman publicly in front of the people. She stood in the face of her accuser and spoke the Word which she had read and memorized. The woman could only speak what she had heard and when challenged to find it and read it from the Bible she couldn't. At the end of the confrontation Mary was absolved of the accusations against her and in compassion offered her hand to the woman in forgiveness.
When facing life's struggles and difficult situations, the first thing we should do is take it to God our Father. He already knows the situation and often will just listen and drop in your heart the answer. We often must stand in the face of our accuser, Satan, and speak the Word of God. He too knows the Word, but will only twist and pervert it for his purpose.
Jesus in his humanity prayed to God and asked that the cup of his sacrifice pass from him. In other words, the human part of Jesus was afraid and did not want to face what was coming, but the God part of Jesus, the part that knew his mission, accepted what had to be done. It was love and compassion that drove Jesus to the cross. Love and compassion for a lost and dying people. God's creation that had rebelled and had lost understanding of their creator.
We must strive to know God and know His word. Building not only knowledge but love and understanding and compassion. That is the Wisdom Of Walnut Grove.
In Christ, Kevin
Based upon the true life story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House On The Prairie takes you back to life in a small town of Walnut Grove in the 1800s. Simple, yet not without hardships.
The Ingall's time and again would show us happiness, sadness, fear, and Christian resolve. In a particular episode there was an elderly man who lived alone in a big house. The house looked old and run down as he had not taken care of it for years. Laura and some other children thought the house was haunted and the old man was a maniac. After being teased about being afraid of going up to the house an touching it, Laura finds herself inside the house and face to face with the old man. Eventually, Laura befriends the old man and learns why he has lived alone all those years. The old man's wife had passed away some years before and in his grief he had chosen to believe she was still alive and living in the city. Once Laura had discovered that the old man's wife was dead, her heart went out to him. Laura began reading her bible and found a verse that she knew would help the old man.
" Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25,26
Through the compassion of a child and acceptance of the Word of God, the old man believed in Jesus and and was healed of his grief.
Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life. When we are born into this life we are born into the sin and death of this world. God never intended for it to be that way, but he made the way of redemption. When we believe in and receive Jesus as our savior we are redeemed and resurrected from the sin and death of the world. That does not mean that we no longer give ourselves over to sin and death. Our spirits have been redeemed and made righteous, our flesh and carnal desires are a daily battle.
In another episode Mary, Laura's older sister, was asked to come and teach children in a remote settlement. While there an older woman, who had gained prominence for reciting biblical verses and supposedly could call down lightning from heaven, called Mary a Jezebel and had the people make her leave.
Mary hurt and upset began talking to her father about the situation. Mary knew that she had been lied about and knew what was going on. A good thing had been destroyed because of a misguided woman's fear. The children were learning and would gain knowledge and understanding that she (the woman) did not have. In talking to her father Mary reached a resolve. Charles, Mary's father didn't have to say much, he just listened. Mary went back to the settlement and confronted the woman publicly in front of the people. She stood in the face of her accuser and spoke the Word which she had read and memorized. The woman could only speak what she had heard and when challenged to find it and read it from the Bible she couldn't. At the end of the confrontation Mary was absolved of the accusations against her and in compassion offered her hand to the woman in forgiveness.
When facing life's struggles and difficult situations, the first thing we should do is take it to God our Father. He already knows the situation and often will just listen and drop in your heart the answer. We often must stand in the face of our accuser, Satan, and speak the Word of God. He too knows the Word, but will only twist and pervert it for his purpose.
Jesus in his humanity prayed to God and asked that the cup of his sacrifice pass from him. In other words, the human part of Jesus was afraid and did not want to face what was coming, but the God part of Jesus, the part that knew his mission, accepted what had to be done. It was love and compassion that drove Jesus to the cross. Love and compassion for a lost and dying people. God's creation that had rebelled and had lost understanding of their creator.
We must strive to know God and know His word. Building not only knowledge but love and understanding and compassion. That is the Wisdom Of Walnut Grove.
In Christ, Kevin
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Fear Itself
What are you afraid of? I'm sure we all would like to say nothing, but the fact is that in some way in some area of our lives we are afraid of something. The world sure gives us a lot to be afraid of. The economy, terrorism, death, destruction's, losing someone we care about, etc. The list could go on and on especially if we got into specifics. Fear of failure, rejection, losing what is dear to us, etc. That list would probably be endless.
Now, don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about a healthy concern about something. I'm talking about fear that hinders and debilitates us, stops us from doing things or enjoying things. That is the kind of fear that is the enemy of us. Satan has watched and learned what makes us afraid and timid in life, but do you know that it is actually you that he is afraid of? Yes, that's right, he fears you. He is afraid of what you can do for the kingdom of God and especially if you receive the revelation of who you are in Christ. Satan wants you afraid, he wants you to run and hide or to stop and freeze up whenever you are faced with something. If you do, he can control you and if he can control you, then he doesn't have to be afraid of you and you won't be effective for the kingdom of God.
When I lived with my parents, I was used to the dark of the house at night. I would stay up and watch tv and then turn off the lights and walk through the dark house to my bedroom and go to bed. One night I had stayed up and was watching a documentary about a movie that was coming out at the time that was said to be based upon real events. At the time this movie was promoted real big. What I didn't know was that the movie and the documentary were both fake. While watching the documentary, something strange happened. I felt something in the house. I kept looking over my shoulder feeling like something or someone was behind me.
When the show was over I got up to go to bed and for the first time since I was a child I felt afraid in the dark. I was afraid of walking through the house to my room and started turning on lights. Because I had been learning and feeding on God's word and learning about my authority in Christ, I started thinking how strange it was for me to feel afraid like this. I was almost to my room and had turned on a light in the hallway when I all of sudden stopped and realized what was happening. You may agree or disagree with me on this, but I realized that a spirit of fear had entered my house as I was watching the documentary. When I realized what was taking place, I took my place. I rebuked the spirit in the name of Jesus and commanded it to leave my house. I then turned out the light and continued to my room in the dark and went to bed no longer hindered by the fearful spirit.
You see, we must learn and realize who we are in Christ Jesus and the power and authority we have in Him. We also, must learn who our real enemy is and how he seeks to operate against us. When we learn these things, overcoming fears in our lives and the things that we face will become easier to deal with and overcome. I believe that had I known that the movie and the documentary were fake, I would not have been open to a spirit coming into my house. In other words that spirit would not have had an opportunity to try and operate against me because there would have been nothing there for it to use.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,
2 Timothy 1:7
The only fear we should have is the fear of the Lord and that is a reverent, respecting, fear not a get away from or avoid something fear. Psalm 27:1 says the Lord is our light and salvation. That means we don't have to be afraid in the dark. Whatever the dark might be and if we need saving, then he is our saviour, our hero. He is the strength of our lives. He is our courage when we face fearful things. 2 Timothy 1: 7 is saying that He has given us a spirit of power and love and peace of mind.
In a scene from Star Wars, the Jedi Yoda is questioning a young Anakin Skywalker ( who would later become Darth Vader the villain ). Yoda senses fear in Anakin and tells him why fear is something he must not have. Yoda says, " Fear leads to the darkside", " Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering ". Many a time truth's will come out in movies. Think about it. When you are afraid of something, sometimes you react to it in anger. When we fear something, sometimes we will react to it in anger trying to correct it or not be afraid of it, then we will resent and reject whomever or whatever was the cause, thus hating it or them. When the feelings of hate or resentment have come then either you or anyone or anything that may be associated with what caused the fear in the first place will suffer. Mostly you will be the one suffering from those feelings.
I realize that in life their are things to be cautious and concerned about and sometimes it seems we can't help but be afraid or fearful of a situation. We must learn who we are in Christ, the authority we have in him and the authority we have over the realms of darkness. Things will happen and things will come, but we will be able to truly overcome them. FDR said, " The only thing we have to fear is fear itself ". I say we should make fear be afraid of us.
In Christ,
Kevin
Now, don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about a healthy concern about something. I'm talking about fear that hinders and debilitates us, stops us from doing things or enjoying things. That is the kind of fear that is the enemy of us. Satan has watched and learned what makes us afraid and timid in life, but do you know that it is actually you that he is afraid of? Yes, that's right, he fears you. He is afraid of what you can do for the kingdom of God and especially if you receive the revelation of who you are in Christ. Satan wants you afraid, he wants you to run and hide or to stop and freeze up whenever you are faced with something. If you do, he can control you and if he can control you, then he doesn't have to be afraid of you and you won't be effective for the kingdom of God.
When I lived with my parents, I was used to the dark of the house at night. I would stay up and watch tv and then turn off the lights and walk through the dark house to my bedroom and go to bed. One night I had stayed up and was watching a documentary about a movie that was coming out at the time that was said to be based upon real events. At the time this movie was promoted real big. What I didn't know was that the movie and the documentary were both fake. While watching the documentary, something strange happened. I felt something in the house. I kept looking over my shoulder feeling like something or someone was behind me.
When the show was over I got up to go to bed and for the first time since I was a child I felt afraid in the dark. I was afraid of walking through the house to my room and started turning on lights. Because I had been learning and feeding on God's word and learning about my authority in Christ, I started thinking how strange it was for me to feel afraid like this. I was almost to my room and had turned on a light in the hallway when I all of sudden stopped and realized what was happening. You may agree or disagree with me on this, but I realized that a spirit of fear had entered my house as I was watching the documentary. When I realized what was taking place, I took my place. I rebuked the spirit in the name of Jesus and commanded it to leave my house. I then turned out the light and continued to my room in the dark and went to bed no longer hindered by the fearful spirit.
You see, we must learn and realize who we are in Christ Jesus and the power and authority we have in Him. We also, must learn who our real enemy is and how he seeks to operate against us. When we learn these things, overcoming fears in our lives and the things that we face will become easier to deal with and overcome. I believe that had I known that the movie and the documentary were fake, I would not have been open to a spirit coming into my house. In other words that spirit would not have had an opportunity to try and operate against me because there would have been nothing there for it to use.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,
2 Timothy 1:7
The only fear we should have is the fear of the Lord and that is a reverent, respecting, fear not a get away from or avoid something fear. Psalm 27:1 says the Lord is our light and salvation. That means we don't have to be afraid in the dark. Whatever the dark might be and if we need saving, then he is our saviour, our hero. He is the strength of our lives. He is our courage when we face fearful things. 2 Timothy 1: 7 is saying that He has given us a spirit of power and love and peace of mind.
In a scene from Star Wars, the Jedi Yoda is questioning a young Anakin Skywalker ( who would later become Darth Vader the villain ). Yoda senses fear in Anakin and tells him why fear is something he must not have. Yoda says, " Fear leads to the darkside", " Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering ". Many a time truth's will come out in movies. Think about it. When you are afraid of something, sometimes you react to it in anger. When we fear something, sometimes we will react to it in anger trying to correct it or not be afraid of it, then we will resent and reject whomever or whatever was the cause, thus hating it or them. When the feelings of hate or resentment have come then either you or anyone or anything that may be associated with what caused the fear in the first place will suffer. Mostly you will be the one suffering from those feelings.
I realize that in life their are things to be cautious and concerned about and sometimes it seems we can't help but be afraid or fearful of a situation. We must learn who we are in Christ, the authority we have in him and the authority we have over the realms of darkness. Things will happen and things will come, but we will be able to truly overcome them. FDR said, " The only thing we have to fear is fear itself ". I say we should make fear be afraid of us.
In Christ,
Kevin
Monday, August 23, 2010
Relationship Status: It's Complicated
I would guess that almost everyone who is either on Myspace or Facebook has friends or friends of friends who have listed their relationship status as "it's complicated". Usually when someone states that their relationship status is complicated, they are saying that they are separated or are divorced. It's always a little sad and disheartening when I see that status on someone I know and who's relationship status did read "married".
The question is, how did your relationship become complicated? And if it wasn't complicated before, what was it? I understand that over the last three to four decades, marriage relationships have become less and less meaningful. Marriage vows and covenants are no longer binding. I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend anyone who reads this and may be divorced or going through a tough time in marriage, but lets be real. My parents have been married now for fifty two years. That is half a century. I know my parents aren't the only ones who are still married after a half century together, but my point is that if we were to take a poll of people who have been married for at least that long and people who have been married for maybe ten years or less and asked if they thought they would be married that long of a time, the ones who have been married longer would have have a different answer than the ones who have only been married a few years.
I have often wondered about people who have gotten divorced. Sometimes I want to ask, why did you get married in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I do understand the answer to that question, and I also understand many different reasons why people get divorced. I agree with some reasons. I also understand that God never meant for it to be that way.
" Therefore shall a man leave his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Genesis 2:24
September 1st of this year my wife and I will have been married for nine years. Let me tell you, it's complicated. My wife and I didn't have a normal meet, date, fall in love, get married relationship. It's complicated. I began to discover in the first year or so of our marriage, that marriage is nothing that I thought it would be, nor is it anything I feared it would be. It's complicated. I have issues that my wife has to deal with and there are things about me that annoy her sometimes. It's complicated. My wife has some issues ( sorry honey ) and sometimes she does things that irritate me. It's complicated. We have have been through rough patches in our relationship and are still trying to figure each other out. It's complicated. We don't know all there is to know about life, about marriage, or about each other. It's complicated. We have both uttered the D word. It's complicated. While we both probably wish we could change some things about each other, we also see the need to change some things about ourselves. It's complicated.
I will be honest. I believe some marriages become "complicated", because of selfish reasons with either the husband or wife. I believe some relationships were "complicated" before marriage ever took place. Satan has sought to destroy anything and everything that God has established as pure and holy. Think about it, when two people come together, they bring into contact lots of people who may or may not have ever known each other. When or if they have children who then become connected with two whole families. When that marriage is destroyed, all of those people in some form are touched by it just as they are touched by the marriage. Whether with the mere knowledge of the divorce or much more involved, a life has been touched and altered.
So what is the solution? Learn.
Learn that life and relationships are complicated. Learn that marriage is complicated. Learn that no matter how complicated it is or has become, God can and will show us how to figure it out. Learn not to just pick up the pieces when things get broken, but learn to put the pieces back together and make it stronger or if need be, learn to make something new and better. When we learn that things are complicated, we can learn why they are complicated. When we learn why they are complicated, we can learn to make them less complicated.
Relationship Status: A Little Less Complicated.
In Christ,
Kevin
The question is, how did your relationship become complicated? And if it wasn't complicated before, what was it? I understand that over the last three to four decades, marriage relationships have become less and less meaningful. Marriage vows and covenants are no longer binding. I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend anyone who reads this and may be divorced or going through a tough time in marriage, but lets be real. My parents have been married now for fifty two years. That is half a century. I know my parents aren't the only ones who are still married after a half century together, but my point is that if we were to take a poll of people who have been married for at least that long and people who have been married for maybe ten years or less and asked if they thought they would be married that long of a time, the ones who have been married longer would have have a different answer than the ones who have only been married a few years.
I have often wondered about people who have gotten divorced. Sometimes I want to ask, why did you get married in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I do understand the answer to that question, and I also understand many different reasons why people get divorced. I agree with some reasons. I also understand that God never meant for it to be that way.
" Therefore shall a man leave his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Genesis 2:24
September 1st of this year my wife and I will have been married for nine years. Let me tell you, it's complicated. My wife and I didn't have a normal meet, date, fall in love, get married relationship. It's complicated. I began to discover in the first year or so of our marriage, that marriage is nothing that I thought it would be, nor is it anything I feared it would be. It's complicated. I have issues that my wife has to deal with and there are things about me that annoy her sometimes. It's complicated. My wife has some issues ( sorry honey ) and sometimes she does things that irritate me. It's complicated. We have have been through rough patches in our relationship and are still trying to figure each other out. It's complicated. We don't know all there is to know about life, about marriage, or about each other. It's complicated. We have both uttered the D word. It's complicated. While we both probably wish we could change some things about each other, we also see the need to change some things about ourselves. It's complicated.
I will be honest. I believe some marriages become "complicated", because of selfish reasons with either the husband or wife. I believe some relationships were "complicated" before marriage ever took place. Satan has sought to destroy anything and everything that God has established as pure and holy. Think about it, when two people come together, they bring into contact lots of people who may or may not have ever known each other. When or if they have children who then become connected with two whole families. When that marriage is destroyed, all of those people in some form are touched by it just as they are touched by the marriage. Whether with the mere knowledge of the divorce or much more involved, a life has been touched and altered.
So what is the solution? Learn.
Learn that life and relationships are complicated. Learn that marriage is complicated. Learn that no matter how complicated it is or has become, God can and will show us how to figure it out. Learn not to just pick up the pieces when things get broken, but learn to put the pieces back together and make it stronger or if need be, learn to make something new and better. When we learn that things are complicated, we can learn why they are complicated. When we learn why they are complicated, we can learn to make them less complicated.
Relationship Status: A Little Less Complicated.
In Christ,
Kevin
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Shut The Hell Up!!
So, have you every wanted to say that to someone? Have you ever said that to someone? You don't have to answer. I am sure that at some time we all have said it, thought it, or had it said to us. Let's think really what would or should it actually mean to shut the hell up?
In my last post from the AMP'D series, I mentioned different voices that want our listening attention. One of those voices is the voice of the world. Since the fall of Adam, the world that was created and designed for us has been turned upside down and infected with sin. Adam's sin of disobedience transferred his God given authority to Lucifer and opened the door for corruption and chaos. Jesus paid the price for Adam's sin and ours by laying down his life on the cross. By doing this Jesus bought back the authority that Adam had given to Lucifer.
Even though Jesus had paid the price and bought back our authority, the damage was done. Sin still permeated through out the world. The difference now is that instead of us being subject to the sin and chaos, it is actually subject to us. We as sons and daughters of God either have not realized this or do not believe it. Carnal thinking hinders and limits the work of God in our lives.
The hell that I am speaking about shutting up, is the hell that comes into our lives. Attacks from the enemy in whatever form they may take. If you turn on the news or keep up with current political and social happenings you know that it seems like one bad thing after another. I am all for keeping up with what's going on around us as pertains to the world, we shouldn't bury our heads in the sand and wait for the day it will go away by no means. But, day after day listening to the constant influx of worldly turmoil will begin to affect your mind and well being and then eventually that of those around you. Take me for instance. I read headlines and listen to the occasional news story on tv, but I don't do it constantly. I especially try to avoid news shows because certain things cause such an anger on the inside of me that it puts me in a bad mood, which then affects my family. Ephesians 4:26,27 says, to be angry and sin not and don't give place to the devil. Being angry is one thing, Jesus was angry at times, but when that anger motivates you to sin i.e. cursing or becoming dangerously violent, then there is an issue. If that occurs you have done the second part of the verse and given place to the devil's influence.
We have to realize the power and authority that has been given to us.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
You see, everything that is negative that comes against you bombarding your life is seeking to kill you, steal from you, and destroy you, but you have the power and the authority through Jesus from God to stop it.
Where I live it is very wooded and we have found scorpions in our house on numerous occasions. When we see a scorpion I immediately take something and kill it. I don't just let it go, I don't try to gently scoot it along out of the way with my fingers, I kill it. When the hell of life begins to bombard us, we should immediately kill it. Shut it's voice up. Satan wants to speak into our lives death and destruction by manipulating our emotions and thoughts and how we react to them. We have to consciously make a stand and speak to the situations around us. In Luke 17:6 and Mark 11:23, we are told to speak in faith to circumstances and they must obey us ( paraphrase ).
The constant negativity of the world and the things that are happening in it and the things that happen in your life and to you are never things that are impossible to overcome. We can overcome because Christ has already overcome it. If Jesus had not paid the price of sin and regained our authority, we would have no hope. Because of his sacrifice, we now have our God given power and authority in Him and have just cause to tell the world to "Shut the hell up!" .
In Christ,
Kevin
In my last post from the AMP'D series, I mentioned different voices that want our listening attention. One of those voices is the voice of the world. Since the fall of Adam, the world that was created and designed for us has been turned upside down and infected with sin. Adam's sin of disobedience transferred his God given authority to Lucifer and opened the door for corruption and chaos. Jesus paid the price for Adam's sin and ours by laying down his life on the cross. By doing this Jesus bought back the authority that Adam had given to Lucifer.
Even though Jesus had paid the price and bought back our authority, the damage was done. Sin still permeated through out the world. The difference now is that instead of us being subject to the sin and chaos, it is actually subject to us. We as sons and daughters of God either have not realized this or do not believe it. Carnal thinking hinders and limits the work of God in our lives.
The hell that I am speaking about shutting up, is the hell that comes into our lives. Attacks from the enemy in whatever form they may take. If you turn on the news or keep up with current political and social happenings you know that it seems like one bad thing after another. I am all for keeping up with what's going on around us as pertains to the world, we shouldn't bury our heads in the sand and wait for the day it will go away by no means. But, day after day listening to the constant influx of worldly turmoil will begin to affect your mind and well being and then eventually that of those around you. Take me for instance. I read headlines and listen to the occasional news story on tv, but I don't do it constantly. I especially try to avoid news shows because certain things cause such an anger on the inside of me that it puts me in a bad mood, which then affects my family. Ephesians 4:26,27 says, to be angry and sin not and don't give place to the devil. Being angry is one thing, Jesus was angry at times, but when that anger motivates you to sin i.e. cursing or becoming dangerously violent, then there is an issue. If that occurs you have done the second part of the verse and given place to the devil's influence.
We have to realize the power and authority that has been given to us.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
You see, everything that is negative that comes against you bombarding your life is seeking to kill you, steal from you, and destroy you, but you have the power and the authority through Jesus from God to stop it.
Where I live it is very wooded and we have found scorpions in our house on numerous occasions. When we see a scorpion I immediately take something and kill it. I don't just let it go, I don't try to gently scoot it along out of the way with my fingers, I kill it. When the hell of life begins to bombard us, we should immediately kill it. Shut it's voice up. Satan wants to speak into our lives death and destruction by manipulating our emotions and thoughts and how we react to them. We have to consciously make a stand and speak to the situations around us. In Luke 17:6 and Mark 11:23, we are told to speak in faith to circumstances and they must obey us ( paraphrase ).
The constant negativity of the world and the things that are happening in it and the things that happen in your life and to you are never things that are impossible to overcome. We can overcome because Christ has already overcome it. If Jesus had not paid the price of sin and regained our authority, we would have no hope. Because of his sacrifice, we now have our God given power and authority in Him and have just cause to tell the world to "Shut the hell up!" .
In Christ,
Kevin
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
AMP'D: God Speaks!!
As young people, you have so many voices that are speaking out to you. Each one wants your attention and to be heard. The voice of world wants you to hear it's message of self satisfaction. The voice of your heart wants you to hear it's cry of emotion. Your parents want you to hear the wisdom of their warnings. Your friends want you to hear them talk about what their voices are saying. But, there is only one voice that we should listen to. When we give our attention and listen to this one voice, then we will be able to answer all of the other voices calling us. That one voice, is the voice of God.
What? You mean God is talking to me too? Yes, or rather He wants to. God desires to speak to each and everyone of us. From the highest officials in government to the guy who fixes your plumbing. God has something to say to you.
Some people believe that God doesn't speak anymore. Some people think that He only speaks to certain people like preachers and ministers. Some people believe they have heard God speak to them when it wasn't Him at all. We tend to forget that God created us for fellowship with Him. The bible says that when God created Adam that he would walk with him in the cool of the day. That means that God and Adam would walk together early in the mornings or evenings or both and talk.
Now, you may think why would God want to speak to you. Simple. You are His creation and He wants to share the life He has given to you, with you. No one is so spiritual or important that they do not need God to speak to them and no one is so un-spiritual or insignificant that God wouldn't want to speak to them.
Ok, so now that we know God speaks and wants to talk to us. How does He speak to us?
Of course the numero uno way God speaks to us is through His word. The Bible. Even though God spoke into the spirits of the prophets and disciples and led them to write the books of the old and new testaments, everything that was written we can apply to ourselves and our lives. When you read the bible, read it as though God wrote it specifically for you. He did, but when we realize this and read it that way purposely, it becomes personal and carries more meaning and significance to us.
John 10:4 says, When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Sheep follow their shepherd because since they were born, they have been hearing his voice and they know it. Have you ever been in a crowd or somewhere with a lot of noise and hear your mom or dad's voice saying your name? It's just like that. You have heard their voice all of your life so even in the midst of distractions and other voices you will recognize them. It's the same way with God. When you are born again, from that moment on you should enter into a relationship with God learning His word and learning to hear His voice.
God is not limited. We limit God because our human thinking is limited. God can use anything to speak to us. He uses situations, good and bad. I don't believe that God causes bad things just so He can speak to us but I do believe he can use a bad situation to do just that. God can use books we read, songs we hear, other people and things to show us whatever He may want us to know. Now, I will say that we must be discerning. Being able to see/hear what God may be saying to us through something only comes through having a relationship with Him first through His word.
God desires for us to reach out to Him. He has so much to show us and tell us. We don't hear God speak because we are not listening. How much easier and how much more we would understand things if we truly learned to hear God. I want to encourage you to begin to build a relationship with God. Pray and read the word of God and take time to listen. God Speaks!!
In Christ,
Kevin
What? You mean God is talking to me too? Yes, or rather He wants to. God desires to speak to each and everyone of us. From the highest officials in government to the guy who fixes your plumbing. God has something to say to you.
Some people believe that God doesn't speak anymore. Some people think that He only speaks to certain people like preachers and ministers. Some people believe they have heard God speak to them when it wasn't Him at all. We tend to forget that God created us for fellowship with Him. The bible says that when God created Adam that he would walk with him in the cool of the day. That means that God and Adam would walk together early in the mornings or evenings or both and talk.
Now, you may think why would God want to speak to you. Simple. You are His creation and He wants to share the life He has given to you, with you. No one is so spiritual or important that they do not need God to speak to them and no one is so un-spiritual or insignificant that God wouldn't want to speak to them.
Ok, so now that we know God speaks and wants to talk to us. How does He speak to us?
Of course the numero uno way God speaks to us is through His word. The Bible. Even though God spoke into the spirits of the prophets and disciples and led them to write the books of the old and new testaments, everything that was written we can apply to ourselves and our lives. When you read the bible, read it as though God wrote it specifically for you. He did, but when we realize this and read it that way purposely, it becomes personal and carries more meaning and significance to us.
John 10:4 says, When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Sheep follow their shepherd because since they were born, they have been hearing his voice and they know it. Have you ever been in a crowd or somewhere with a lot of noise and hear your mom or dad's voice saying your name? It's just like that. You have heard their voice all of your life so even in the midst of distractions and other voices you will recognize them. It's the same way with God. When you are born again, from that moment on you should enter into a relationship with God learning His word and learning to hear His voice.
God is not limited. We limit God because our human thinking is limited. God can use anything to speak to us. He uses situations, good and bad. I don't believe that God causes bad things just so He can speak to us but I do believe he can use a bad situation to do just that. God can use books we read, songs we hear, other people and things to show us whatever He may want us to know. Now, I will say that we must be discerning. Being able to see/hear what God may be saying to us through something only comes through having a relationship with Him first through His word.
God desires for us to reach out to Him. He has so much to show us and tell us. We don't hear God speak because we are not listening. How much easier and how much more we would understand things if we truly learned to hear God. I want to encourage you to begin to build a relationship with God. Pray and read the word of God and take time to listen. God Speaks!!
In Christ,
Kevin
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