Categories: "Fun"

For Those In A Struggle Today

by Pastor Ken  

Beauty For Ashes

Often in the worst of times we feel the most alone, we could be surrounded by friends and family and still feel so alone. This is because our circumstance have distracted us from our source of strength, we have become overwhelmed by our giant rather than strengthened by the size of our God. 

Today I want you to know, you are not alone in your situation, and that God understands your distress, your sorrow (Isaiah 53:3,) because He understands it He can comfort you in it, David reminds us that God is close to the brokenhearted and that He saves us in our circumstance. 

Know this, when no one can, God can strengthen you, He can heal the brokenness of your heart. He can make beauty from the ashes. 

The Lord wants you to know that "Nothing" can separate you from the Love He has for you (Romans 8:38,) and if nothing can separate you from that love, then nothing can cause Him to leave you in your time of need.

On the other side of this situation are people who will need your victory song, how you go through, how you overcome, they will need to know the nearness of your God during your greatest struggle.

I "believe" that God even in the worst of my times here on earth has been working even the those things out in the end for my good. Though He did not create the bad things He has the ability to turn them for my Good. (Genesis 50:20) Like Joseph in the end God will work out my struggles, my difficulties, my circumstances for good.

I pray today that you work a healing work in the lives of those that are suffering, that are broken, one that mends their brokenness, one that restores their joy, their hope and that you would bring peace amidst their storm. In Jesus Name Amen!

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut 31:6

Alive

by Pastor Ken  

Our past, it has an awful way of interfering in our present and often becomes a roadblock to our future.  The good news is there is a way out, a way to overcome our past, its done in Christ. 

Paul in (Philippians 3:13-15) reminds us that we need to put the past in its proper perspective, he says that we need to forget it, and starting focusing on what is ahead, set our eyes on (Christ) the goal.   See Paul is talking to some athletes so he uses sports metaphors, "set your eyes on the prize, the goal,"  he really gets the point across, "forget about you failures,"  think about the success you will have now that Christ is in your life.

In Galatians 2:20 he puts it this way:

  1. My Past has been buried with Christ, it no longer has power over my life.
  2. This new life I don't have to do on my own, but rather with the power that Christ brings to my life.
  3.  This new life has brought about a change that will effect my future for the better. 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ~Galatians 2:20

Following Him

by Pastor Ken  

Today I was reminded that the Lord is faithful, He keeps His promises for a 1000 generations the Bible says. If you and I follow the Lord with all of our Heart there will be nothing to hard for us, nothing that God can't do for us.

Caleb's faithfulness reminds us that if we follow the Lord wholeheartedly then:

  • Nothing will be too big for us to accomplish
  • No Giants will be able to stand in our way
  • We will see a big God rather than big Challenges
  • We will come to rely on a strength bigger than our own
  • We will take possession of the promises that God has for us.

Today:

  • Trust in Him
  • Lean on His understanding
  • Follow His direction
  • And you will find your way, you will overcome, you will rise above

Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite because he wholeheartedly followed the lord, the God of Israel Joshua 14:14

Emanating Christ

by Pastor Ken  

Authenticity

 

What a thought "Diffusing the Fragrance of Christ"


defuse (defined)

become or cause something to become intermingled with a substance by movement, typically in a specified direction or at specified speed.

 
Does anyone know you have been with Christ? (Acts 4:13b) Is the aroma of Christ being diffused in your life, are others being affected by it?

As Christ followers we should be changed by His presence in our lives, His words should become our words,His thoughts our thoughts, its then that the world around us will change.


I love the definition of defuse "intermingled with a substance by movement" See when Christ gets in us, He will come out of us, it will produce action, movement.... "Love Does"


Paul closes this word with the following statement:


"we are not as so many, peddling the word of God, but as of sincerity"


The word is living, it brings life to those who consume it (Deuteronomy 32:47a). Our deepest desire should be to become the image of Christ to a dying world that "some" might come to know Him as we know Him, that they would know the God that saves, that God that loved them, the God that redeems them.


I leave you with this thought:


  • What sets you apart from this world?
  • Does anyone see Christ in you?
  • Are you diffusing the "words" of Christ


14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. ~2 Corinthians 2:14-17

 

GOD'S LOVE IS INTENTIONAL

by Pastor Ken  

 

When Jesus looked down from the cross, this is what He saw:

The Roman soldiers were casting lots for His clothing 
(John 19:23–24). 
The criminals on the crosses to either side of Him were 
insulting Him (Matthew 27:44).
The religious leaders were mocking Him 
(Matthew 27:41–43). 
The crowd was blaspheming Him (Matthew 27:39).

Something to "REMEMBER"

I don’t think people actually get this, but these events: 
The cross 
The conviction
The punishment
The ridicule
The pain
The suffering
The crucifixion 
The death
The resurrection.

“THEY WHERE INTENTIONAL”

Imagine this scene:

We find Jesus and a man name Barabbas standing opposite sides, and Pilot between them.

See Pilot thinks that he holds the destiny of these two men in his hands! But he doesn’t!

Pilot tells the crowds this “I know the Jews have a tradition on the Holy day to release one of the prisoners, so today! 
I will release one of the prisoner on death row”

One side he has Jesus, son of the living God and on the other Barabbas the thug and rebel, murderer.

He tells the crowd “Alright who do you want?”I don’t know about you, but when I see this scene, I think this is “outrageous”, there is no comparison, the answer should be easy, see I believe because Pilot knew that Jesus was innocent he thought he would give an easy choice to the crowd, they would have to chose Jesus.

The silence breaks“Give us Barabbas” What! “That’s Outrageous!

Barabbas, a rightful prisoner, a man who should be on death row, he is a rebel, he murders people, he’s a bad man, on the other side we have the Son of God, healer, miracle worker, all he’s done is restore, deliver, set free, open deaf ears heal the lame and the leper,

Barabbas went free that day, but it wasn’t the people nor was Pilot that set him free, he was a murderer, a rightful prisoner deserving of death.

It was Jesus who set him free,..
It was “INTENTIONAL

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. ~John 10:18

NO MAN TAKETH IT FROM ME, BUT I LAY IT DOWN MYSELF

JESUS SET BARABBAS FREE

  • HE CAN SET YOU FREE
  • HIS WORK IN BARABBAS LIFE WAS INTENTIONAL
  • HIS WORK IN YOUR'S IS INTENTIONAL

FORGIVENESS IS THE VEHICLE THAT:

  • RESTORES
  • REALIGNS
  • REVIVES
  • RESETS
  • RENEWS

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