Looking Forward.

 This past weekend, I completed my fifteenth year of volunteering for FMSC. It's an event that I really look forward to every year. The build up, the fund raising, the event itself. But then, just like that, it was over. Another year finished! Have to wait till next year.

How many of us are like that? We have something that we put on our calendars and so look forward to and then in a heartbeat, it's over.

Thanksgiving Holiday. I know that I really look forward to the four day weekend. Eating, laughing, watching football, spending time with family. Have turkey on Thursday, maybe do some black Friday shopping, eat leftovers the whole weekend, but before you know it, it's Monday again. Back to work and the daily grind.

Christmas as well. The build up after Thanksgiving. Putting up the tree. Start buying presents. Then wrapping said presents. Start to make travel plans if you are heading out of town. Getting your house ready if you have guests coming over. You plan and plan. Check off your to do list. Next thing you know, Christmas is over. Radio stops playing Christmas music. The tree and all the decorations come down and are put away till next year. You are back to work, again. 

Another weekend I really look forward to is Labor Day. My family has a big party every Labor Day weekend. We have been doing this for many, many, years. It coincides with Maple Parks "Fun Fest" So we start on Saturday with a two mile walk through town, then usually followed by a breakfast of some kind. Later that day we gather for the parade and then the cookout. So much fun, so much food. Love it! Every year! But then again, I look forward to all of the planned activities and then "boom" it's over. 

There are many things that I look forward to doing throughout in a years time. To many to list here. If I were to do that, it would be a novel, instead of a blog.

There is one thing that I am looking forward to in the future. Something that will never end or close.

The day that I go to Heaven. That coming event is going to be glorious! Not that I want to pass away today, but when I do, Heaven is what I am looking forward to! Spending eternity with Jesus. How can it get any better? 

Hebrews 11:16 New Living Translation

16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Isn't it awesome that God is preparing a place for us, to live with Him. Forever! 

John 14:2-3 New Living Translation

2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 

So I encourage you tonight. All the plans that you make and look forward to will eventually come to an end. All the parties, games, etc. will end and you'll have to look forward to the next thing. So keep your mind on Heaven, which will never run out or end.

Colossians 3:2 Amplified Bible

2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].

God Bless.

Rev. Kev.

End Of Yourself!

 Are you tired? Tired of banging your head against the wall, going nowhere? You've tried and tried and still nothing. You have given it your all, and nothing changes. You've tried with all of the strength that you could muster. You've come to the end of yourself. 

You realize that you need to try something different. Choose a different path.

That path is Jesus. His strength never runs out. He never tires.

Proverbs 3:5 The Message

5 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track, Don’t assume that you know it all.

Isn't that the problem with us. We think that we know everything. We don't need any help doing or thinking about anything. We think that we have it all under control. Our pride gets in the way. We think that we are weak if we ask for help. 

God says differently.

Isaiah 55:9 New Living Translation

9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

I thank God that He has higher thoughts and plans for me. My plans are limited at best. God is limitless. When I have reached the end of myself, I turn to the One I should have started with. Jesus! All the plans I come up with, I run them by God first. Not for Him to bless me, but for me to be a blessing to Him. He needs to come first, not the other way around.

Revelation 21:6 New Living Translation

6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. 

I pray that everything I say and do, glorifies God.  

Numbers 6:24-26 Living Bible

24-26 ‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’

I encourage you tonight. When you think that you know it all and don't need any help. You do. Turn to the only One that can help you. He is more than enough. Everything that we need, He has!

God bless.
Rev. Kev.

Seasons Change.

As I'm sitting at our kitchen table, I'm looking outside at the trees changing. Some are completely bare and some still have vibrant color. Refusing to give up it's leaves. We have one that is bright red. Some that are yellow or orange. Some are just plain old green.

As I'm looking at these trees, I start to think about seasons of life that we are in or are going through. Just like the trees, our seasons change as well.

Maybe you're in the bare season of life. Nothing seems to be going your way. Maybe you have lost your job. Maybe your having some health issues. Maybe someone you love has passed away. Your leaves are falling off. Leaving you bare and exposed!

Psalm 30:5 New Living Translation

5 Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Maybe your at the beginning of a new season. Some buds are starting to happen in your life. You start getting some interviews. Getting better news from your doctor appointments. New life is being born into your family. Things are looking up.

Revelation 21:5 New Living Translation

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” 

Maybe you are in a season of full bloom. Your life is amazing right now. You have that full time job. Maybe you've gotten engaged or married. You bought your first house. Have a nice car. Things couldn't be going any better for you during this season.

Psalm 37:4 New Living Translation

4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Maybe your in the fall season. Things start changing color. Your hair starts to gray or fall out all together. You're moving just a little slower. Losing some of your strength. Things just aren't the same. You are noticing some differences in your life! Aches and pains are your daily life.

2 Corinthians 4:16 New Living Translation

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

So I encourage you tonight. No matter what season you are in or going through, the one constant is Jesus. He is with us in every season of our lives. From the full bloom in the summer, to the leafless barren season of winter. He is there!!

God Bless.

Rev. Kev.

Unified!

 If you listen to any kind of news at all, they all seem to say that our country is more divided than ever. Black/White. Republican/Democrat. Rich/Poor. Open border/closed boarder. Vaccine/no vaccine. On and on it goes.

I'm here to tell you that we Christians are unified. Unified in our hope of Jesus and His return. So many people put their hope in the government & it's programs. That is a false hope. They will not help. Those programs only last a short time. 

You know who never runs out? Jesus!

He is the same yesterday, today and the days yet to come! (Hebrews 13:8)

Malachi 3:6 New Living Translation

6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change.

I have been to a lot of concerts this year. More so than usual. All of them have been Christian concerts. I don't know what is going on, but these shows seem much different than in other years. God is at work at these shows!

From hard rocking acts like Stryper or Sacred Warrior, to worship acts like Kim Walker Smith, Brandon Lake, We The Kingdom & Casting Crowns. These artists seem to have renewed energy. Not holding back in proclaiming The Gospel! I think that they think that the time of Jesus' return is drawing closer! We need to get ready!

 All the crowds have been fantastic. Enthusiastic in their worship of Jesus. They are going after it, hard!  Hands and arms raised. Singing along for all their worth. It has been awesome to have been part of this. Doesn't matter if it's a 500 person club or a 10,000 person arena. 

While the rest of the world wrestles against itself for one party or another to gain control, we Christians are uniting behind Jesus and His message!

1 Corinthians 1:10 New Living Translation

10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Starting with Stryper in September, all the way till last night with Sacred Warrior, I have never seen crowds more united. Looking out for each other. Taking care of each other. It was incredible to see. People being nice to each other! The common denominator for all of these shows was Jesus! He was present at each and everyone. Spirit filled every venue that I attended for a show.

If the world could only learn this. To live for others, instead of themselves. To live in harmony instead of chaos! What a different world we would live in, wouldn't we!

That's why I like going to see these artists live. I know that I am going to be able to shut out the world and be unified in worship with brothers and sister of faith. To proclaim the only message that matters. The message of Jesus Christ.

God Bless.

Rev. Kev.

Walk & Talk.

 

Whenever I have the chance, I go down to Starved Rock to have a walk and talk with God. I walk and He talks. I also listen. I have to admit, sometimes I do more talking than listening. Hard to hear God speak when I am blabbing the whole time. So today was one of those days. I headed down to Starved Rock with the intent of just walking in silence and listening for God to speak to me.

It wasn't more than 10 minutes into my hike when God revealed exactly why I was there and what His message was to me. 

I always go on the same path to the same canyon, almost every time. Sometimes I change it up, but not usually. So today I thought about changing it up and going on a different trail. I decided against it. Then instead of going down the same old trail that I usually do, I went the opposite direction. Out of character for me. I am a creature of habit!

Anyway.

As I was walking along, I came across an elderly couple who were trying to navigate a slight incline on their way back. Instead of taking the little stairs, they decided to walk on the side, where they thought it would be easier for them. Well, on the side there are some rocks. They are pretty slippery by themselves most times, but even more so when there are leaves on top of them. The older gentleman took a couple of steps and almost fell down just as I was passing them. I reached my hand out and he grabbed a hold of it and that is when I heard God speak to me.

"Keven." "This is what I want you to do." "Keep helping my children." "To be My hands and feet, extended." I was like wow. I had already extended my hand to the gentleman to help steady him, then I helped walk him back up the hill till we were on flat ground. He and his wife could not stop thanking my enough for helping out. I told them that God had me at the right place, at the right time for them.

God knows what He is doing. 

I went on a path that I don't normally go on, in a direction that I don't normally go. He was getting ready to speak to me. He used that couple to do it. As soon as I touched the other guys hand, the message was loud and clear.

"Keep being My hands and feet."

1 John 3:17 The Message

16-17 This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.

So I encourage you tonight. Go on a walk and talk with God. Listen to what He has to say. He will not lead you astray or down a wrong path! Like lyrics from a song that I listen to. "If you woke up today, and are still breathing, God ain't finished, yet"*

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

*Lyrics taken from 'God Ain't Finished Yet' - Emerson Day.

When The End Comes!

 While surfing the net the other day, I came across an article written by a hospice chaplain. Being a former hospice chaplain myself I was intrigued. I click on the link and start reading. The chaplain was talking about people very near the end of their life and the last statements that they make. I cannot remember the exact stats, but I'll go with 100 quoted. The hospice patients at the end of their life, all of them said that they wish they had did more, spent more time with their families. Not one of them said they wish they had worked more and made more money. When the end came, they realized that money and possessions did not matter. It was their relationship with Jesus and their families that mattered most. Of course it is to late to do anything about it now, but they wanted others not make the same mistake and wait till the end of their lives to figure it out. Leave behind a life of regrets!

So tonight while watching YouTube videos, I stumble across a video from the great Johnny Cash. The video was for his song "Hurt". I say stumble, but I really don't believe that. I believe that God put that video on my viewing radar. Anyway. If you haven't heard the song or seen the video, I encourage you to go to YouTube and watch and listen. It is a very powerful song and video, about someone reflecting back on their life. The life they leave behind.

So I started thinking about my life. About when the end comes for me. How are people going to remember me? What kind of a legacy am I leaving? 

Will I be remembered as being materialistic? I sure hope not. I'm starting to think that all of my collection of things are just a waste. My little mini guitars. All of my Cardinals collectibles. All of that is nice, but it will mean nothing at the end of my life! Jesus will not care if I collected those guitars or if I was a Cardinals fan. He only cares if I believed in Him!

Will I be remembered as a selfish person. Again, I hope not. I try and never do anything for me. I am always looking out for the end user. I try to make it as easy as possible for the person coming after me. That is what I am known for at work. Our material handler loves working with me for that very reason.

Philippians 2:3 New Living Translation

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

I know that I am not perfect. Far from it as a matter of fact. 

Romans 3:23 Living Bible

23 Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal;

I just hope that when the end comes for me that I am remembered as a faithful servant of Jesus. A faithful, loving husband. Loving father, good friend and co-worker. Generous. A guy who loved God and loved people. A guy who tries to be more like Jesus everyday.

Acts 10:2 Living Bible

2 He was a godly man, deeply reverent, as was his entire household. He gave generously to charity and was a man of prayer.

So I encourage you. To live your life for God and others. All of the trophies and accolades are nice, but when the end comes, they will mean nothing. You cannot take them with you. Make a lasting legacy for your family to remember you by. Not how much you worked and all the events that you missed. But how many events you made and they way that you loved them!

God Bless!
Rev. Kev.

I Don't Care How!

 Listening to one of my favorite worship artists songs, Brandon Lake's "Tear Off The Roof". I absolutely love this song. It is based on the story in The Bible about a paralyzed mans friends tearing off the roof of a house where Jesus was at, so they could get their friend to Him to be healed. 

I did a sermon on this topic several years ago. It was about fighting to get to Jesus, no matter what. It seems like the world is trying to take us away from Jesus and His teachings every chance they get! We need to fight everyday to get to Jesus, no matter what.

I talked about the guy who was demon possessed.  The man was possessed by a legion of demons. Legion means many demons possessed this man. When this man saw Jesus far off in the distance, he fought through all of the demons and ran towards Jesus. He fought what was inside of him to get to Jesus. He made it Him, and Jesus healed him of the demon possession. He sent the demons into a herd of nearby pigs, and the man was free of their control. (Mark 5:1-15)

The woman with the bleeding issue for twelve years. She spent all the money that she had on doctors, trying to figure out what was wrong with her. Then she heard that Jesus would be near her, and she heard about the healings that He was performing. She thought that if she could just get close to Him, she might be healed. In those days, someone who was bleeding was considered unclean. No one could touch them or be touched by them, as that would make them unclean. So imagine the courage it took her to go to the place where Jesus was, knowing that she was unclean (basically out in public illegally). She fought through the crowd to get to Jesus. She only touched the hem of His robe and was instantly healed. (Luke 8:43-48)

The earlier mentioned story. Four friends of this paralyzed man heard about Jesus and the miracles and healing that He had been doing. They thought if they could get their friend to Jesus, he could be healed. As they approached the house, the saw that the crowd was to large to get him inside. They hatched a plan, taking him to the roof and digging a hole through it and lowering him down inside. So that is what they did. And it worked. He was healed! (Mark 2:3-5)

So all three of these stories have one thing in common. Through almost impossible odds, they fought and succeeded to get to Jesus. No matter what stood in their way.

So what are we doing to keep getting to Jesus, no matter what? When the whole world seems to be against us and Jesus! Do we just throw up our hands and say "oh well, I guess I'll quit!" No, of course not. We dig into His word more. Pray more. Stay connected to Him. He is the only thing that matters!

So I encourage you to keep fighting to get to Jesus, no matter what. No matter what the world may throw against us and try to derail us. Doesn't matter what the world says, I am only concerned with what Jesus says.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.