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!