Am I Doing Enough?

 

I volunteered at an event last weekend (Christmas Eve) and was asked if I wanted a t-shirt. I can never turn down a free shirt. You should see my closet. Upon receiving the shirt, I unfolded it and looked at the front. It is what is pictured above. If you know me, things like this get me to thinking.

I started thinking. Am I doing enough? Am I generous enough? Do I really live that way? The way Jesus calls us to live? I like to think that I am. I mean I volunteer my time doing all kinds of things. Once again, is it enough?

God is so generous to us & since we are formed in His image, we should be just as generous with others.

1 John 3:17 Living Bible

17 But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him?

I mean it's all God's anyway. Who are we to hoard from our brothers and sisters in need. If we have the resources to give, we should give. Joyfully!

2 Corinthians 9:7 Amplified Bible

7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].

I don't know about you but, I love giving. I love volunteering to help out those who need help. I myself could end up in that sort of situation. I don't want to take anything for granted. Never know what tomorrow will bring.

Hebrews 13:16 The Message

16 Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.

So I encourage you tonight. Live/give generously. Be a blessing to someone. You might be someone's answer to prayer. God doesn't withhold from us. He gives abundantly more than we could ever ask for! 

God Bless you all. 

Miss Informed.

 I had a conversation with a someone the other day who is not a believer. I was explaining all of the things that have been happening in my family's life over the last month, and year. I explained that I had an Uncle pass away, a cousin and some friends. A cancer diagnosis and some other health issues. An earth quake affected family on the West Coast. The person that I was talking to said, "I thought that since you were a Christian, nothing bad happens to you anymore." 

I explained that just because I am a Christian, Jesus never promised us a problem free life. In fact He said that there would be trials and tribulations that would come our way. 

John 16:33 The Message

33  I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

We were never promised a problem free life. Most people who are not believers are miss informed about this. While we are still living in this world, there will still be death, diseases, natural disasters that will come against us. 

We live with the hope of Heaven and living in Eternity with Jesus. In that day, there will be no more sorrow, tears, disease or death. 

Revelation 21:4 New Living Translation

4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Family members pass away and that hurts. A cancer diagnosis, natural disaster strikes. News or events that we weren't expecting, shock us. Good news is........My God is bigger than all of this. 

He is the comforter for those who are hurting. (Matthew 5:4)

He is the Healer of diseases (Luke 4:40)

The restorer of houses and foundations. (Amos 9:14)

So, I encourage you tonight. No matter what news you have been given, a death in the family, a bad heath diagnosis or some kind of physical destruction, put your trust in God. He is still good. He is on the Throne and still in charge. No matter what life looks like at the moment.

God bless,

PK

Eight Plus Hours.

 James 4:14 New Living Translation

14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

Eight plus hours. That is all the time I had left with my mom from the time I got the call that she thought she was going to die, until she actually passed. I didn't know it at the time, that is all the time that we would have left with her.

Vapor, mist, fog, whatever you want to call it, can burn off rather quickly. I've been thinking about this ever since my mom passed three years ago. 

She was 76 when she passed. She was my mom for 52 of those years. I've been thinking about those 52 years. Things I could have done differently. Spent more time with her. Visited her more often. Done more things with her. Definitely taken more pictures of us together.

You think that being my mom for 52 years is a long time right. I can not believe how fast the years went by. Starting school, getting my drivers license, graduating high school, getting jobs, getting married, grand children, etc. etc.

When I was with her in the hospital those last few hours, I thought about my life and what I had done with it. Her life on earth was coming to an end and I wondered if I had made her proud in those short, precious years.

When she took her last breath, I couldn't help but think about the verse above. How our lives are but a morning fog. Here one minute and gone the next. How short and fragile our lives really our.

So I encourage you tonight to take time with your parents and loved ones. You may think that you have all the time in the world, but you really don't. 

Take the time to spend with them. Cherish that time. Hug them and tell them that you love them. Don't wait till the end for them to hear you say that!

God Bless.

PK

How To Make Someone Cry In 3,2,1..................

 The other night while volunteering in the pouring rain, I met a woman who rolled down her window to talk with me while her groceries were being loaded.

The conversation went something like this. 

Her - "nice night were having." 

Me - "why yes, it's beautiful out here." as I leaned towards her window and the rain poured off of the bill of my hat.

Then I proceeded to tell her that there was no where else I'd rather be than right there, in that parking lot, serving my community in the pouring rain.

You could see her eyes start to well up and tears starting to form. She kept saying how thankful that she was that we were out there for her and the rest of the people in line, even in a driving rain storm. She kept talking about her kids and family and the rough spot that they were in and we were an answered prayer for them.

I told her about Jesus. How even He came to serve.

Matthew 20:28 Living Bible

28 Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah,* did not come to be served, but to serve

I told her that I wanted to be like Him. To serve like Him. Treat others like He does. To love, treat with dignity and respect.

Galatians 5:13-14 Living Bible

13 For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other. 14 For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: “Love others as you love yourself.”

Jesus didn't care about the weather when He served people. In fact He didn't even have The Weather Chanel to check the forecast. So if He can serve under any circumstance, so can I.

Hebrews 13:2 Living Bible

2 Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

This is one of the many reasons that I do what I do every Tuesday night. I'm not saying this to say look how great I am. Trust me, I'm not that great. I'm just trying to be Jesus' hands and feet to my neighbors. Help them out when they are down. Lift them up. Encourage them. Tell them there is hope in Jesus!

God bless

PK

Clamoring For Your Attention.

 One day at work last week, I did some reflecting of how many noises and sounds we have at work. All clamoring for our attention. Our forklifts have back up beepers. Might want to pay attention to that sound if you are near one and don't want to get hurt. All of our forklifts have a different sounding horns, so you can tell which one is approaching. Might want to pay attention to that sound as well. Very important. You don't want to get run over, crushed or just plain injured because you ignored the forklift warning sounds.

We have rollup doors leading to our production rooms. They sound alarm when they are about to start coming down. Need to pay attention to that sound if you are about to walk underneath said door. Don't want to get conked on the head and get knocked out, or even worse.

We have buzzers at both of our receiving docks that drivers use to check in to make a delivery or pickup. Have to pay attention to those buzzers. Drivers get a little upset if they have to wait for a few minutes before someone answers the door.

So we have all these sounds going on at work. All clamoring for your attention. All very important to listen to and for, depending on what you are doing at the moment.

This all got me to thinking about Jesus and how many worldly voices try to distract us from Him. Bosses, spouses, teachers, children, etc. etc. But we need to discern what is actually from God and what is not.

1 John 4:1 The Message

4 My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.

Yes, all those other voices are important to listen to (especially your spouse), but if they contradict what God is saying, then you shouldn't pay any attention to those voices. 

Kind of like Adam and Eve in the garden. When they listened to the serpents voice instead of Gods. By listening to the serpent it caused the fall of man. Sin entered the world.

Psalm 95:7 New Living Translation

7 for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!

I encourage you today to be careful of what voices you listen to. Many will try to lead you astray, but God never will.

God bless.

PK

Serve One Another. Love One Another.

 What do you think of when you hear the word "serve?" Some people serve their community. Some serve in their church. Brave men and women serve our country! Do you know it is possible to serve your coworkers as well? How you may ask? By helping them when they need it. If they have fallen behind or are struggling to do a task. I "serve" them by helping out. The word serve to me means that it's not about me. It's about helping others. When they can not do things on their own. When I serve someone else, I am showing the Love of Jesus to them. Even Jesus himself came to serve.

Mark 10:45 Living Bible

45 For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others

By helping serve others, we are also loving others. If I help someone, I do it in love. I put that person first, above myself. I don't care how much it will put me out, or behind. Not doing it for myself. I'm just trying to show Jesus to others when I help.

John 15:12 Amplified Bible

12 “This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you.

When I serve someone at work, it shows the coworker my love for Jesus Christ. I do it because of Jesus' love towards me. His love makes want seek the best for everyone.

The image above is a picture of a white board that hangs outside my office at work. We use it for a couple of different reasons. One reason that we use it for is to encourage each other. Either I or some of my coworkers will write scripture on there, or something encouraging to say. We try to lift each other up. Tell them they are doing a good job. That they are appreciated. Whatever it takes to show kindness to one another.

During one tough day, I came back to my office after helping out a coworker who was a little behind. I helped out until they were caught up and then went back to my office. While walking down the hallway, I noticed this nice thank you written on the board (yes I know they spelled my name wrong, but it was from the heart). They really appreciated my help. Not going to lie. It made me feel good. It lifted me up. I am not saying this to say "Keven is great." No, not at all. I am saying this because of the working relationship I have with my coworkers. They know that they can trust me to help out when needed. That is one of my favorite sayings where ever I go. We are meant to help each other out, no matter what we are doing. If we don't, we are doing it wrong.

1 Corinthians 10:24 Living Bible

24 Don’t think only of yourself. Try to think of the other fellow, too, and what is best for him.

I used to get asked why I would help out other departments that aren't mine. My response would be, "I don't get paid by this department or that department." "I get paid by company." "So if someone needs help, I will help them if I can." I would serve them in Jesus name and by doing so, I would show love in Jesus name.

So I encourage you tonight. That no matter what you do. Serve one another & love one another. Just as Jesus loves us!

God bless.

PK.

Lifestyle = Death Style

I watched a documentary on Metallica the other night. They filmed this while they were recording their next album 'St. Anger', (not their best in my opinion). On this album they have a song titled "Frantic". One line of lyrics goes "My Lifestyle Determines My Death Style". 

I started thinking about that . Could that be true. Could the way that we live determine the way that we die? I mean I suppose it could. If you live the rock n' roll lifestyle, you could die from over indulgence of alcohol or drugs. To many rock stars have died this way. That was the way they chose to live their lives!

If you are a gangbanger, chances are you will die a violent gang related death. Fighting over territory, colors, money, girls, etc. etc. 

A drug dealer could easily die in a deal that goes sideways. They choose to deal drugs, they know the consequences. 

Alcoholic could die from cirrhosis of the liver. A smoker could die from lung cancer. The list can go on and on.

I started to think about my lifestyle. How do I live my life? My life is centered around Christ and His teaching. Because of Him, I try to live an upstanding, righteous life. Do things do the right way, treat people the right way. Does that mean that I couldn't die any of the ways that I mentioned earlier? No. I am not any better than anyone else. I just know that I don't want my death style to be without Christ.

Philippians 1:21 Amplified Bible

21 For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].

I want my lifestyle to equal my death style. That both have Jesus in them.

Romans 14:8 Amplified Bible

8 If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

So I encourage you tonight. Like the Bible says, whether we live or die, we are The Lords!

Speak Life. Speak Truth. Speak Love. Speak Jesus!

 I recently discovered a song by artist Charity Gayle. The name of the song is "I Speak Jesus." She sings about speaking the name of Jesus over everything. Addictions, pain, strongholds, etc. etc. It is a really powerful song. I have probably listened to it 25-30 times since I first came across it. My wife is like "are you listening to it again?" That is how God speaks to me sometimes. In the form of a song. It was no accident that I stumbled across this song. God has a way of doing that for me. I did a whole message at church one Wednesday night based on a song by Demon Hunter. I just happened to stumble across that song as well. Huh uh! It was all God. Anyway.....

This song I Speak Jesus, got me to thinking about speaking Jesus myself to others around me and situations that are going on. 

I want to speak Jesus over my family. Speak Jesus over my marriage. Strengthen it and draw us closer together. Speak Jesus over my wife. Provide for her. Keep her safe. Bless her. Speak Jesus over our daughter. Speak His powerful name in our home!

Speak Jesus over my relatives. Some who are battling some form of disease. Speak the mighty healing power of Jesus! Break cancer, diabetes, covid, and so many others. There is nothing to big or to small for Jesus. He is the mighty Conqueror!

I speak Jesus over my job. Keep the company prosperous. Keep blessing the company. I speak Jesus over my co-workers. For those who don't know Him, that He would use me to be an example for them. I am not perfect employee, but that they would see a difference between me and the other employees.

I speak Jesus over this broken world. That He would put a stop to all of the violence that is taking place across the globe. He created this world. It is His and everything in it. He is in control!

Like the song says, I want to speak Jesus in the streets. That everybody should know His name. His name is power, healing and life. This is why I want to speak Jesus everywhere I go.

John 16:33 Amplified Bible

33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

So I encourage you today. Speak the name of Jesus. To everyone and everywhere you go!

God bless.

PK

Are There Cracks In Your Armor?

 Not sure if you are aware or not but, there are evil spirits (or demons) swirling around you. They are waiting for a crack in your armor to find a way into your mind or body. God tells us to put on His full armor (Ephesians  6: 10-18) to prepare for battle. These demonic spirits are waiting for us to slip up and cause a crack in our armor to begin their attack on us. That is why we must remain strong in The Lord, and not to give these demons a foothold!

1 Peter 5:8 The Message

8 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. 

So how do we keep our guard up? Stay in God's word. Meditate on it. Commit it to memory. Be prayed up & trust in The Lord, and the power of His might. His word prepares us for the spiritual battle that we all face. Our flesh and spirit are constant at war! Our flesh wants things done our way and The Holy Spirit living in us want us to live another. Of course the demons that are trying to attack us at any given moment are lusting for our fleshly desires and not God's desires. They want us to choose the world, not God!

If we are filled with The Holy Spirit, demons cannot possess us because we cannot be filled with both good and evil. There is no room at the inn for both!

Of course a crack in our armor can come at any moment, without any notice. We may do something without even realizing it, then "BAM", demons are getting in the cracks.

John 10:10 Living Bible

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. 

They try to deceive us, tempt us & accuse us. All lies. That is Satan, the accuser, the father of lies. He tries to make us feel guilty about things that we have done. "God could never love you with what you have done". Another lie. God loves us unconditionally. We are His children. Children of the most high. I know that some of us have a hard time accepting this because of Satan's lies.

2 Corinthians 6:18 Amplified Bible

And I will be a Father to you, And you will be My sons and daughters,” Says the Lord Almighty.

So I encourage you to stay vigilant with reading The Bible. That will help us prepare for war! Not the flesh and blood kind. A Spiritual battle that will be waged against us. 

God bless!

Your Circle Matters.

Believe it or not, who you have in your circle of friends and influence matter. It matters who you hang around with. Who you do things with. Places you go. People you visit. It all matters.

1 Corinthians 15:33 New International Version

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

How many times have you been around someone who is negative all the time? All they do is complain and grumble. Never happy with anything. Next thing you know, if you spend enough time with them, you start sounding the same way. All of a sudden you find yourself complaining about things that never used to bother you. You start grumbling about this thing and that thing. 

People look at you and notice that you are not much different than the world. They will say to themselves "If this how Christians act, they are no different than me." A friend of mine would always tell me that you need to separate yourself from 'stinking thinking'. People who's thoughts are just down right negative. They will pull you down with them, if you let them.

You need to surround yourself with people who will lift you and others up. Who's positive energy is addictive! They encourage instead of discourage. They cheer instead of boo. They want everyone to succeed and not fail. See the best in people, not look for or expect the worse.

Look at the book of Job in the Bible. His three friends did very little to help him, encourage him or soothe him. The kept blaming him for everything that was happening to him, even though most of it was false.

On the other hand in the book of Mark, a paralyzed man was healed because of his friends. They carried him on a mat to see Jesus. The house they went to was so full, that they had to go to the roof, dig a  hole and lower the man down in front of Jesus. (Mark 2:1-12) Because of the faith of this mans friends, he was healed. His circle mattered! Jobs friends condemned, this mans friends helped. We could all use friends like this. Fight for their friend to get him to what he needs. What a difference between Jobs friends and this paralyzed mans friends.

So I encourage you today to take a look at who you have in your circle of friends. A friend will be there to listen, encourage and lift up.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 New Living Translation

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

God bless friends!

I Will Fail You!

 Last night I was perusing videos on YouTube, watching live concert footage, reaction videos or just plain ole old fashion videos. During my search, I stumbled across this one. Or rather God brought this one into my video viewing. It is a song by the band Demon Hunter. Now Demon Hunter is not normally my kind of band. Yes they are heavy and the lyrics are good, but the vocals just ruin it for me.

The song last night was different. It was a bit softer. I could easily understand the lyrics that were being sung. And those lyrics. Man, were they powerful. God wanted me to hear that song last night. So of course, I listened. It really moved me and made me really think. In fact, I could hardly sleep thinking about this song. That is how powerful the lyrics were.

Two lines of the chorus really stuck with me. 

First one goes like this, "I Fail You, Of That I'm sure".

I started to think about how many times I fail Jesus on a daily basis. I know that I am not perfect by any means. Each day I strive to be better for Christ, but I still fail Him. I do something stupid, let certain words come out. Just not being righteous.

Romans 3:23 Amplified Bible

23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,

The good news is that God forgives. He doesn't keep track of my shortcomings. I am so grateful for that. What a loving Father He is. Towards all of us.

Lamentations 3:22-23 Living Bible

22 his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day.

The second line of the chorus goes like this. "I Will Fail You To The Core".

This one really hit hard! I am His, and He is mine! There is no denying this fact. But the way that I continue to sin after He purchased me with His blood. That fails Him to His core! He died for me. To set me free, and here I still am, sinning against Him.

Romans 5:8 Amplified Bible

8 But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I think that this song is two fold. First was saying that I (we) will fail God. Second, I believe that it is saying that we (I) will definitely fail our family, friends and our co-workers. That is not our intention at all. But at some point it will happen. That is why the Bible says not to trust in people.

Psalm 118:8Living Bible

8 It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in men.

So live your life knowing that you will fail. Fail God, family, friends and co-workers. We need to strive each day to be more like Christ and less like ourselves! With God's help, we will get there!

God Bless!

Cube.

 

This is one side of a wooden cube that my mother in law gave me for Christmas a few years ago. When I first saw it, I didn't know what to make of it. What would I use it for? I left it home for a little while, then one day I said to myself, "I'll take it to work." So I did. The first day I brought it in, I knew that I had made the right decision. It was a conversation starter. People would come into my office and inquire about it. I told them about how my mother in law gave it to me for Christmas. It has little Christian sayings on all six sides. Every day I come into work, I move it to the next side. So I have a different saying every six days.

The saying that comes up on Friday's, I use all weekend long. This past Friday was the above saying, "What Should We Pray For Today?" Oh man, let me tell you!

Since this is Fathers Day, I pray that God will raise up all the fathers to be what they are called to be and do. Lead their families. Love their children. Instruct their children and discipline their children. If we don't do our jobs at home, somebody else will. We can't play that game with our kids. It is our job to raise them and take care of them.

Proverbs 22:6 Amplified Bible

6 Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

I pray for my family, friends and co-workers today. Well everyday. I have a few that are battling pancreatic cancer. Breast cancer. Brain cancer, liver cancer, as well as a host of other illnesses. I pray today that God will heal them totally and completely. Make their bodies whole. Remove what should not be in there. Strengthen them and encourage them as they go through this. Give them comfort and peace, that You are in control.

Matthew 11:28 Living Bible

28 Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”

That statement on that cube "What Should We Pray For Today." I pray not only today, but everyday for those afflicted by illness and disease. Pray for families. That moms and dads would stay together. I pray for those who have suffered a physical loss. Loss of a loved one. Loss of a house because of fire, or natural disaster. A car because of an accident, or it's just to old to carry on. Pray for jobs for those who are unemployed or are under employed. Just PRAY!

Colossians 4:2 Living Bible

2 Don’t be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God’s answers, and remember to be thankful when they come.

Like that verse says. Don't become weary during prayer. Continue to seek God and His answers for us. Thank Him and give Him praise when prayer is answered.

God Bless!

Tampa Bay Rays & "Pride" Night.

 Not sure if you are aware or not. June is designated pride month for the LGBTQ community. All kinds of businesses are participating in this. Including major league baseball. Most of the MLB teams host a pride night to celebrate LGBTQ. This includes putting rainbow colored pins or patches on the teams hats or uniforms and a host of other things that they do to promote pride night.

Some controversy arose when five players from the Tampa Bay Rays refused to wear the rainbow patches on their uniforms and hats. They peeled them off so that just the regular logo appeared. They stated that as Christians, it went against Christ to wear these emblems on their uniforms. They didn't feel comfortable promoting a lifestyle that goes against their beliefs. So of course instantly, they are labeled as homophobic. Just because they didn't want to have the rainbow emblems on their uniforms.

This reminds me of the story in the book of Daniel. In Daniel chapter 3, there are three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who refuse to bow down to the kings gold statue. Anyone who refused was to be thrown into a fiery furnace. The king gave them a second chance to bow to the statue and again they refused. Saying that they will only bow to their God, not a gold statue. So the king had the furnace turned up seven time hotter and threw them in. Spoiler alert, they did not die. You can read the whole account in Daniel 3.

So my point is that these players are not bowing down to wearing something that they don't believe in and now they are being roasted by the press, other players, etc. etc. The court of public opinion can certainly be a fiery furnace.

So my question is this. Suppose MLB teams hosted a Christian themed night and the team had to have crosses on their uniforms or hats, or teams hosted a police night and they had to have some kind of police emblem placed on their gear somewhere, how many would refuse to do so? I wonder if these players would be facing the same kind of scrutiny that the Rays players are?

Matthew 10:32 English Standard Version

32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

So I applaud these players for sticking with their faith and convictions and not bowing down to appease the public.

God bless each and everyone of you!

Who Jesus Is To Me!

 Having a conversation the other day with a volunteer about my faith. They told me that they hear me thanking God for doing everything He does for me. Loading a car safely. Helping get the food bin down safely. Not tripping over a pallet. Not slamming my finger in the door or trunk. I thank Him for everything He does for me while volunteering. 

So this volunteer wanted to know what Jesus is to me. He said He knows that He is God and all that stuff, but what else is He to you.

Well, let me tell you my friend who Jesus is to me.

He is my Savior. When I first accepted Him into my life, I was living a life of sin. He pulled me out of the muck and mire which I was stuck in and placed me on the solid rock, Himself. (Romans 10:9-10)

He is my Healer. I have had some pain in my body, pulled muscles, strains, etc. While praying to Him, He has healed me of those issues. There are still some things that I am waiting for Him to do in my body, but in His timing, not mine! (Jeremiah 30:17)

He is my Provider. He has taken care of me and my family, time and time again. I had been laid off from work for almost two years a few years ago. We never missed a payment. Never late with a payment of any kind. We really had to cut back and make some changes to the way we lived, but God provided for us the whole time! (Philippians 4:6-7)

He is my Strength. When I feel like I am at the end of my being and I can not continue, God strengthens me. He lifts me up, dusts me off and renews my strength. (Isaiah 41:10)

He is my Protector. I have been involved in some serious car accidents in the past. God has protected me from being seriously injured or even death. He has His arms wrapped around me and my family. Protecting us at work, while we travel long distances or just across town. Protection at home or even while taking a walk through our neighborhood. (Psalm 5:11)

He gives me Peace. When both my mom and dad passed away, I could feel this undeniable peace around me. I knew that it was Jesus wrapping His arms around me and reassuring me that everything would be alright. I have peace at work, even when I want to go out and scream at a truck driver. Jesus is telling me again. It's alright Keven. Give it over to me. (Philippians 4:7) (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

So it's safe to say what Jesus is to me. He is..............EVERYTHING!! My life. My joy. My all. 

Can You Comprehend!

 Can you even comprehend the kind of day that Jesus was facing when He was crucified? I hardly doubt it. To have your father give you up to be beaten beyond recognition, nailed to a cross, have your side pierced to make sure that you were dead. Jesus knew all of this before it happened. He knew what He was going to face on the dreadful day that we now call Good Friday.

He knew that He would be scourged, whipped, beaten so badly that He was hardly recognized by others. Then He was made to carry His own cross to the place of crucifixion. It has been said that the cross that He carried weighed around 165#. Can you imagine carrying that kind of weight after what He had just endured? He was bloody, gouges in His back, His arms and legs whipped so badly that He could hardly stand. Then made to carry a 165# cross about a 1/3 of a mile. Sometimes I have a hard time walking that far myself and I didn't have anything like that happen to me.

Once at the final destination, the soldiers took Jesus and nailed His body to the cross. Took His arms and stretched them out as far as they would go and put a nail through each wrist. Took His feet and placed them together and put a nail through both of them. Then stood the cross upright with Jesus hanging between two other criminals.

He hung there for a while and then finally cried out " It is Finished!" and breathed His last. The soldiers couldn't believe that He was dead so they took a spear and pierced His side to make sure.

Now I ask you again. Can you comprehend having a day like that. I know that most of us get upset when meaningless things don't go our way. But nothing compares to this. 

Even Jesus prayed to His Father to take away this cup of bitterness that He was about swallow. But He didn't want His will to go forth, He wanted the will of His Father to be done.

So why am I writing this you may be asking yourself. I want to let you know that Jesus went through all of this, for you and me. He took on all the sins of the world upon Himself. He paid the price for us. He suffered for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 New Living Translation

21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

The best news about this is. Jesus rose from the dead three days later. He is alive and sitting at the right hand of His Father. Hallelujah!

Hebrews 10:12 Amplified Bible

12 whereas Christ, having offered the one sacrifice [the all-sufficient sacrifice of Himself] for sins for all time, sat down [signifying the completion of atonement for sin] at the right hand of God [the position of honor],

So I urge you today to live for Christ. Live like His death meant something, because it did. 

What Are You Really Afraid Of?

 I had a conversation with some friends the other day. We were asking each other what we were afraid of. The answers varied to say the least. There were the typical answers like snakes, flying, spiders, etc. etc.

My answer to the their fears are this. They are really afraid of death or dying! Afraid of snakes you say. I say that you are afraid of being bitten by a snake and dying. Afraid of flying. I think what you're really afraid of is the plane crashing and you dying. Same thing with spiders. You'll get bitten by one of the poisonous ones, and once again you're afraid you'll die!

My question is, why are we so afraid of death? 

Philippians 1:21 Amplified Bible

 21 For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].

When we die, we gain Jesus for eternity. What is there to be afraid of? Heaven is a much better place than the world that we are living in. Streets of gold. No more tears, sickness, disease, hurt. Nothing!

Revelation 21:4 Living Bible

4 He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever.”

Now I don't want to die today. But if I were to die, I'm not afraid of death. I know where I am going. Going be with Jesus! He is preparing a place for me. For all of us who believe in Him!

John 14:2 Amplified Bible

2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.

Like I said earlier. I am not afraid of dying. What I am really afraid of is my family & friends dying without knowing Jesus. That they don't have a personal relationship with Him. I pray that my life, words and actions, point people toward Jesus. I can't save anyone, only Jesus can do that. What I can do is point people in His direction. Again, I hope that I am doing that.

I pray that when I stand before God, I hear the words "Well done my good & faithful servant." 

Matthew 25:21 New Living Translation

21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!

Again I ask. What are you really afraid of? Is it dying? Or dying without knowing Christ?

Accept Him today. It will be the best decision of your life!

I've Seen Too Much..............

 I am a big music person. I usually just listen to the music and not so much the lyrics. Eventually I'll catch on to the lyrics, which makes the song that much better. I've been humming along to a worship song lately that I've heard on the radio. Then one day, a line in the song really caught my attention. It went something like "I've seen too much to not believe."

I'm not going to go over every good thing that God has done for me but, I have seen too much to not believe in Him.

I have a daughter because of Him. I am clean and sober because of Him. I have a wonderful wife and marriage because of Him. I have a roof over my head, food to eat and a car to drive. All because of Him!

There have been plenty of other things that have taken place in my life that I look back on and "yep, that was You God!" There can't be any other explanation for it. When things look like they are not going to work out, He makes it happen.

Isaiah 43:16 Living Bible

16 I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a path right through the sea.

All the things that I listed above are gifts from God. The gift of life, family, home, auto and job! What a good Father He is to us. He lavishes His love on us. He gives us abundantly more than we ask.

James 1:17 Amplified Bible

17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].

Like I said in the opening. I've seen too much to not believe. God is real. He is alive and well and looking after His children. He wants to bless us so we can be a blessing to others.

I encourage you tonight to open your eyes and see the goodness of God in your life. Trust me, it's all around you.

God bless!

Does God "Really" See Me??

 I get asked this question a lot. People who are going through things. They are having some troubles and they wonder if God ever "really" sees them. That He has left them high and dry. To fend for themselves. I assure them that He has not forgotten about them. No matter what you are going through, God loves you and sees you right where you're at.

Psalm 139:14-16 Living Bible

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. 15 You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! 16 You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book.

Even before you were born, God saw you. He planned out your days ahead of time. The struggles that you are facing now are not a surprise to Him. He has a plan for us. He wants us to prosper. He wants the best for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 Living Bible

11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

So friends, if you are going through a tough time right now, trust that God sees you and what is happening to you. He cares about you. He'll pull you through, if you let Him! Put your trust and hope in Jesus. Our Savior, Deliverer, Redeemer, Prince of Peace, and so many other names that He is called.

John 16:33Amplified Bible

33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

We have VICTORY in Jesus!

God bless!

The World Today!

 In case you haven't been listening or paying attention lately, it seems like the world is worse off than ever. Russia, Ukraine, gas prices, food prices, energy costs, inflation. covid 19. Is it coming to an end? Masks, vaccines, blah, blah, blah!

It seems like every time you turn on the TV or log onto your computer, there is something else vying for your attention or focus.

Colossians 3:1-2 The Message

3 1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

It seems like people everywhere are losing their focus. They are gripped by the events that are happening all around them. Especially some Christians. We are losing our main focus which should be Jesus, and focusing on the problems going around all over the world. We need to refocus our attention on The One who gives us hope.

All this means that we shouldn't turn a blind eye to what is going on. We are not to make this our main focus! We should educate ourselves and pay attention to the events of the day, but not to make this our main focus.

Things change around us very quickly. Prices rise it seems almost hourly. News stories change about everyday about covid, the invasion of Ukraine, inflation and a multitude of other things. 

You know who never changes? Jesus!

Hebrews 13:8 New Living Translation

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So I urge you today to not focus on what is earthly, but to focus on the unseen, our Savior, Jesus!

John 16:33 The Message

33 I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

Going Nowhere, Fast!

 

Today I had to drive a forklift that I am not really used to driving. It's an old gas forklift. The control panel is completely different than the truck that I usually drive. This one has a gear shift like a car does. Forward, push it up. Reverse, push it down. Neutral, leave in the middle. So I hop on the truck, get it started, hit the gas pedal and............nothing. The truck does not move. What in the world. I start looking around to see if something is blocking my way. Nope not that. I turn it back off and start over. Turn the key, the motor starts, hit the gas pedal once more and still nothing. Now I am really getting frustrated. Why won't this thing move?? Then I realize that I still have it in neutral. DOH! Not going anywhere with it stuck in neutral! So I put it into gear, and alas, off  I go. Who knew!

Well if you know me at all, this little event got me started thinking about how many of us are living our lives stuck in neutral? Not moving forward or backward. We're just not moving at all. How many of us are stuck in neutral in our walk with Jesus?

God wants us to grow. Not to stay in the same place as when we first believed in Him.

2 Peter 3:18 Living Bible

18 But grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all glory and splendid honor, both now and forevermore. 

He wants us to mature as we walk with Him. How many of us get annoyed with someone when they still act childish after they have reached adulthood? Many of us I would say!

1 Corinthians 13:11 Living Bible

11 It’s like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things.

Jesus wants us to engage, not to just sit idly by (staying in neutral). Get to doing. Be Jesus' hands & feet extended. Help someone out. Be the light to somebody. 

Revelation 3:16 New Living Translation

16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 

He is calling us to action. If we stay lukewarm (neutral) we are useless to Him. Then we go nowhere, fast!

I want to be used by God. I want to say "Speak Lord, Your servant is listening." I don't want to be lukewarm or stuck in neutral. 

I pray the same for all of you. Time to put it into gear!

So, You Think You Can Run Away!

 How many times have we been called by God or called on by God to do something, only to think that we can run away from Him? Saying "nope, can't do that."

That didn't work out so well for Jonah when God asked him to go and preach against the city of Nineveh, for the wickedness that they were doing against God! Jonah said "nope, not today" and ran off in a different direction. God used many tactics to get Jonah to turn around. He caused a great storm to come against the boat that he was sailing on. He was tossed over board and swallowed by a great fish. He finally realized that he could not out run or hide from God! He eventually went to Nineveh like God directed him in the first place.

Jonah 1:2-3 Living Bible

2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh, and give them this announcement from the Lord: ‘I am going to destroy you, for your wickedness rises before me; it smells to highest heaven.’”

3 But Jonah was afraid to go and ran away from the Lord. He went down to the seacoast, to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket, went on board, and climbed down into the dark hold of the ship to hide there from the Lord.

How many times have we been asked to pray for people in public. Most people I know that would be far outside their comfort zone. They would run away from the task. Or to speak at an event or even in church. They run away from that as well. Thinking that they're not ready or educated enough to do what God is asking of them. God wants to get us out of our "comfort" zone. 

Just like God used a number of events to bring Jonah back in line, He will do the same to us. No matter how much we kick or scream, saying "no, no, no."  God still wants to use us. All of our answers should be "yes & amen." The old saying goes "He doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called!"

Psalm 139:7-10 New Living Translation

7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

So I encourage you today. To not run away from what God is calling you too. It doesn't work out for you. I encourage you to embrace what He is calling you too. He will strengthen you, lift you up and give you the ability to do it, even when your flesh says "NO."

God bless!

Access Granted.

 

My wife and I took our first cruise together last week. Before we left on vacation, the cruise line sent us this medallion to wear while onboard the ship. We had to wear it everywhere! By wearing this, it gave us access to some of the things that were available on the ship. We went out for dinner, showed the medallion to get our food. Sitting out on one of the decks, show it to a server and get a soft drink. Walk down the hallway to our room and when we got close, the door would unlock for us.

We had to show it when we got off the ship to do an excursion. Had to show it to get back on the ship from excursion. When they scanned it, a picture of each person would pop up to prove that we were who we said we were. So needless to say. This medallion, although small, was very important.

All this access to the boat and many things on it got me to thinking about our access to God. How do we access Him? 

John 14:6 Amplified Bible

6 Jesus said to him, “[a]I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

This shows that Jesus is THE only way to the Father. Not good works or good deeds. Despite what the Sammy Hagar song says, you can't buy your way into Heaven. It is only by The Son, Jesus! You have to accept Jesus as your savior before you can gain access to The Father. If you don't know Him, you will not know The Father.

1 John 2:23 Living Bible

23 For a person who doesn’t believe in Christ, God’s Son, can’t have God the Father either. But he who has Christ, God’s Son, has God the Father also.

Good news is that you don't have to wait to get to Heaven to know The Father. We can know Him today and receive from Him. How do we do that you may be asking. Well, here are a few things to do.

We as believers are to yield to The Father. Love His Word, pray and then obey. 

I pray that you start a relationship with Jesus today, to gain access to The Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

Finish The Race!

 I read an article last week from NFL player Don Beebe about finishing the race. He was talking about a play in Super Bowl XXVII. The game featured the Buffalo Bills vs. The Dallas Cowboys. The play being talked about was a fumble by the Bills quarterback late in the game. A linemen for the Cowboys picked up the ball and headed for the end zone for an apparent sure touchdown. Little did he know that a speedy receiver by the name of Don Beebe was in the process of chasing him down. The linemen got close to the end zone and instead of just running it in and finishing the play, he decided to stick his hand out with the ball in it. Don caught him at about the one yard line and knocked the ball out of his hand preventing a Cowboys touchdown. The Cowboys were running away with the game and preventing that touchdown would not have helped the Bills win the game. But Don refused to give up. He had to pursue that linemen a long way to prevent that  touchdown, but he did. While Don was talking about this play so many years ago, he kept emphasizing "finish the race". If that linemen would have just kept going he would have had the touchdown. He decided to celebrate a little to early and that cost him. Didn't cost the team anything as they won the game handily. But it cost him. He received death threats. All kind of derogatory mail, calling him names. No matter how good of player he was, he's still remembered for that one play.

As I read the article I kept thinking about God and the race that He sets before us. He sets us on a path to run. It's not a sprint, but a marathon. God wants us to enjoy the race until we cross the ultimate finish line, to spend eternity with Jesus.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 The Message

7-8 This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.

Sure we'll stumble and fall from time to time. But God wants us to get up and keep pressing on to the finish line. He wants us to remain humble and not to show boat as we approach the end of our race.

1 Corinthians 1:31 New Living Translation

31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

I am not going to brag about all the things that I think that I have accomplished. I am going to brag about what God has done for me. He gets all the credit, not me!

So I encourage you tonight to finish your race. Finish strong. Don't let the enemy get in your way or knock you off course, because trust me, he will. He would like nothing better.

So keep running towards Jesus and I'll be there cheering you on every step of the way!

God bless you all!

Killing The Beast!

 When you hear the word "Beast", what do you think of? Do you think of a creature that is big, strong and powerful? Do you think of the movie 'Beauty and The Beast'? Does King Kong, Godzilla or even Big Foot come to mind? I know when an athlete in any given sport does something epic, he or she is considered a  beast in that sport.

I know for most Christians, when they hear the word beast, they almost automatically think of Satan, the Devil or Lucifer. He certainly is strong and powerful. But, my God is bigger, stronger and more powerful than the Devil.

One of my favorite bands has a song titled "Killing The Beast". It is by the band 'Bloodgood'. They sing about conquering and killing the devil, aka. the beast! It's a very good song!

One of our jobs we have to do at work is unload tuna from an over seas container. The product does not come on pallets, they come on slip sheets. We have to unload them and then palletize them. It is a painstakingly, not easy to do job. I call it "unloading the beast."

My co-worker and I were working on a couple of these loads this past week. Both days he was just zipping through the loads no problem. I thought of the song and said to myself, "wow, he is killing the beast".

Then that started me thinking about our lives. What kind of beasts do we need to kill? How many are lurking around still rearing it's ugly head in our life?

How about the Beast of Regret? Things that we wish we would have done differently. 

Philippians 3:13 Living Bible

13 No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

The Beast of Anger? The things that I get angry about are really trivial in the long run, if you think about it. How many times I have flown off the handle to only be made to look like a fool.

Proverbs 14:17 The Voice

17 Quick-tempered people make fools of themselves, and evil schemers make many enemies.

The Beast of Sin? Probably the biggest and hardest beast to kill. No matter how hard we try, we are all still sinners.

Romans 5:8 The Voice

8 But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display—the Anointed One died for us.

God wants us to kill them all. There should be no regrets, anger, or sin, or any other beast in our lives. Get rid of the beasts that are standing in our way of living for Jesus!

Galatians 2:20 New Living Translation

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

So I encourage you tonight. To do what the chorus of the song says, "killing the beast, killing the beast, killing the beast." No matter what they are or what shape they take. Kill the Beast!

God bless!