What Are My Beliefs??

 I was asked this question the other day by a co-worker. I pondered for a little bit before I answered him. I knew what he was asking, but I decided to have a little fun with him first. Who knew?? Lol!

I told him that I believe that the Cardinals are the best team in the MLB! The Packers are the best team in the NFL. Michael Jordan is the GOAT, not LeBron! Metal is the best kind of music. The half time shows of the Super Bowl are terrible! And so on.

He groans, and says "come on man." "You know what I'm asking." "You're always wearing these Christian t-shirts, what's your belief?"

Oh, my spiritual belief. Got it.

I believe that Jesus was born of a virgin. (Matthew 1:23)

I believe that Jesus was crucified and three days later raised back to life. (Luke 23:33) (Luke 24:6-7)

I believe that He is my Savior. (Acts 4:12)

I believe that He guides my every step. (Psalm 32:8)

My co-worker said "okay, I get it. Just wanted to know why you are the way that you are, and wear what you wear."

I also told him that I believe that I am healed because Jesus believes that I am healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

I am forgiven because Jesus says that I am. (Isiah 43:25)

Jesus provides for me. (Philippians 4:19)

"One more thing. I believe that I am delivered." (1 John 1:9)

I told him that I try to live my life Biblically. Jesus is everything to me! (Psalm 73:25-26)

This is my belief system. 

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Reaction!

I bought these two shirts with one thing on my mind. To get a reaction from people. I  wanted to get reactions from people who wanted to be prayed for. Let me tell you, it has worked.

The first shirt, the purple one, I wore to a festival last summer. I was walking around, taking in all the sites and sounds. Checking out the food trucks, bathrooms, just the layout of the event, when a woman approaches me, out of breath. I was thinking "what's up with this?" She told me that she saw me and the shirt from across the lawn and ran over to greet me. She wanted to know if it was true? I didn't know what she was talking about at first, because to be honest with you, after putting on a t-shirt and wearing it for a little while, I kind of forget what I am wearing. She wanted to know if what the front of the shirt said was true? I told her of course it was. I wouldn't be wearing it, if I didn't plan on backing up what it said on the front. So she asked me to pray for her and her family right there on the spot. So I did. I had no problem doing that. She thanked me and told me that she was glad that I would do what the shirt said I would do. It's called integrity. 

The second shirt is black. I guess you really don't need to know the color. Just wanted to let you know. Anyway, I wore that shirt to the Toby Mac's "Hits Deep" tour a couple of weeks ago. On the way out and walking toward the car, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and there was a woman telling me how much she liked my shirt, and if I could pray for her? I told her absolutely I could. I asked her what the need was and just like the other woman, she asked for prayer for her family. So we are walking across the parking lot and praying at the same time. I'm not sure I ever did a mobile prayer! She thanked me for the prayer and went on her way.

I have had woman come up to  me at oil change places, tire repair shops, grocery stores and even at work for prayer. It is almost always the same thing, wanting prayer for their family. I keep remembering something I heard a long time ago. Somewhere there is a praying Grandma, Mom or Wife. Interceding for their family!

The thing that I find interesting is that it's always women that approach me for prayer outside of church, never men. I'm not sure why. I don't mind, especially since I am praying with them in public so there is no hint of inappropriate things going on. I'm not sure if maybe men are a little prideful, to ask for prayer in a public space. Who knows! I'll keep praying for whom ever asks for it.

1 Timothy 2:1 New Living Translation

1  I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them

So if you ever see me in public and need some prayer, don't be shy. Please reach out, whether I am wearing those shirts or not!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Seek To Understand.

 I recently watched a documentary of 9/11. It was one of many I have watched over the years since the attacks took place. The one thing that always gets me from these shows are the phone calls from the people on the planes & towers to their loved ones. People calling their husbands, wives. Dads, moms. Sister, brothers. Children. Telling them that they loved them. I didn't hear any calls of hatred toward anyone. Just telling family how much they love them in their last moments.

After watching the latest documentary, all I wanted to do was hug my wife and daughter tighter than ever. Hold them close and tell them how much I love them. Call my brothers and their families and tell them the same. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins!

All the people who died on 9/11 did not know it would be their last day. None of us know when our last day will be.

James 4:14 Amplified Bible

14 Yet you do not know the least thing about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air].

After this latest documentary I attended a visitation for a friends mom who passed away. I understood that a couple of her sons hadn't talked with each other in a very long time. They were mad at each other for some reason or another. On my way to the funeral home, I was thinking about this. Surely they can put aside their differences for a night, to come together for their moms visitation. 

Boy, was I wrong!

When I entered the funeral home (one I have visited quite often, so I was aware of the layout) I could see the casket, my friends brother, then my friend. Then there was large gap (probably 15-20') between the next set of relatives. When I approached that part of the family (I didn't know who they were) I introduced myself and they told me who they were. I asked (innocently) if the brothers were getting along for the moment? I found out that this group of family were the one brothers family that were not talking to the other. In fact, the husband (her son) wasn't even in attendance. Then it all clicked. Why they were so spread apart from each other. That made me sad. That the one son couldn't even come to the visitation and put his feelings aside for just a few hours. That his family was separated from the rest of the family.

This is what I am seeking to understand. While watching that documentary about 9/11, the phone calls that were being made to family members and loved ones, to say how much they loved them. Why do families not come together during these times of need. To comfort one another? I understand families fight and do not get along, but still. Put those feelings aside for an evening, if not for anything at least do it for your mom or dad, or whomever. I could not imagine not going to a family members funeral because of disagreement I have with another family member. When my mom passed, it brought our family closer together!

So I encourage you, to put away silly pettiness when things happen to your family. Come together and mourn together. After it's all over, you can back to your separate camps.

Psalm 133:1 New Living Translation

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Dead Things!

 Brandon Lake & Elevation Worship have a new song out titled "I Know A Name". Its a really awesome worship song! Check it out if/when you can. I mean, can Brandon Lake write a bad song?? I don't think so

Anyway......

In the song they sing a line that talks about dead things coming alive, in the name of Jesus. You know me, I started to think about what dead things could come alive?

Well my first thought is life. Jesus and God can bring people back to life. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, just by shouting into his grave.

John 11:43-44 New Living Translation

43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

The second thought of course is God The Father, resurrecting His Son after His death on the Cross.

Ephesians 1:20 New Living Translation

20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Okay, these are two easy examples. What else could be dead and then brought back to life?

How about a person who is crippled? Can they be restored? That is exactly what Peter & John did happening upon a man who was crippled from birth. He was at the temple gate begging people for money. 

Acts 3:4-6 Living Bible

4 They looked at him intently, and then Peter said, “Look here!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. 6 But Peter said, “We don’t have any money for you! But I’ll give you something else! I command you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!”

How about your marriage? You think that it is over. Dead, to never be revived again. You and your spouse are heading towards the big "D". Don't you think that Jesus can heal and redeem your marriage? Of course He can.

1 Peter 5:10 New Living Translation

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

How about relationship with your children? The one who ran away and squandered everything. Can that be saved or restored? I think that you know the answer.

Luke 15:24 Amplified Bible

24 for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.

These are just a few things that I thought about when I heard the song lyrics, "Dead Things Come Alive In The Name of Jesus."

So I encourage you. When you think things are dead and are no longer, cry out to Jesus. He is the healer and resurrector of all things. He makes dead things come alive!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Forever.

 Have you ever sat with someone who is terminally ill? You know their life on earth is coming to an end. If you know they are a Christian, you know they'll spend forever in eternity with Jesus! What a comforting thought.

Then you start thinking about yourself. Where will my forever be? Will I spend it in Heaven, with Jesus? Or will I spend it in Hell with Lucifer? Well, that depends on you. What your beliefs are. Do you believe in Jesus? Or do you reject Him as your savior and accept the Devil and his ways?

Matthew 7:13-14 Living Bible

13 “Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell[a] is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. 14 But the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.

In the song Highway to Hell, the singer sings about there being no speed limits or stop signs. Nothing to slow you down from destruction and eternal damnation! Foot on the gas all the way to Hell! 

By entering the narrow gate, God puts guard rails up for us, to protect us from veering off course. To slow us down or even stop us from going astray. He doesn't say this path is easy. In fact it is a difficult one to traverse. Following Jesus and going His way can be hard. He never promised us an easy life.

John 16:33 The Message

33 In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

But so many people want to take the easy route. Wide open, nothing to stop them or slow them down from doing their own thing. Their own selfish desires. A choice that will have "Forever" consequences! 

So if you are questioning on what to do to make sure that you spend forever with Jesus, this is what you  need to do.

Romans 10:9 New Living Translation

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

It's really that simple. Jesus wants to spend forever with you, in eternity. 

So I encourage you today to think about choices that you are making. They have a forever in mind. Who do you choose today? Jesus, the giver of life, or Satan, the taker and destroyer of life.

My prayer is that you choose wisely!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Recalculating!

 So, you've finally made a decision to go on a trip, someplace that you have never been before. You load up the car and put the destination address into either Google or Apple maps on your phone, or your GPS unit. (Do people still use GPS?) You pull out of the drive and head on down the road. Google or Apple maps will start giving you instructions on which ways to turn and go. Left, right. How many miles to the next turn, etc.

So you are sailing along approaching your destination, when something goes wrong. You don't pay attention to the directions and miss your turn. Or turn the wrong way. All of sudden your unit has to recalculate to find out where you are and give you new directions. Most of the time if you are lucky you just have to go around the block to get back on track.

I cannot tell you how many times this has happened to me. I start thinking I know more than a computer mapping system. News flash, I don't! Especially in a bigger city. This most recently happened to me when I traveled to St. Louis to see a Stryper concert. Due to construction, one way streets and a pouring rain, I was turned around and so lost. The mapping system could not keep up because I kept turning so rapidly. I finally stopped to let it catch up, and when it finally did, it said that I was at my destination. I had passed it at least twice without even realizing it.

All this had me thinking about God and His direction for our lives. He is the ultimate GPS. He knows what the best path (road) for us to take. 

I was thinking about the Old Testament Israelites. God told them He had a land picked out for them. A land of Milk & Honey. 

Deuteronomy 26:9 New Living Translation

9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey!

All they had to do was trust in The Lord. But they were a stubborn bunch, to say the least. They were poised to enter the land that God had promised to give them. But because their unbelief, they were turned around and had to wander in the wilderness for forty more years.

Numbers 14:34-35 Living Bible

34-35 “‘Since the spies were in the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, bearing the burden of your sins. I will teach you what it means to reject me. I, Jehovah, have spoken. Every one of you who has conspired against me shall die here in this wilderness.’”

A trip that should have lasted only eleven days, lasted forty years. It took forty years because of grumbling, complaining and unbelief in God.

It's sometimes the same with my GPS unit. "It doesn't know the right way!" "I can go a different route." Well that doesn't really work. Need to trust in the system to get me where I am supposed to be.

Just like we are to trust in God to get us where we are going. We'll end up eventually at our destination, just depends on how long we want to take getting there!

I have been feeling this for a while now. I feel like I am getting close to a break through, something from God and then, I am going through the wilderness again. Another trip around whatever object you insert here. Tree, mountain, block, whatever. I don't know what I am doing wrong or what is preventing me from the break through, but I pray and repent and wait! His ways are higher! 

Isaiah 55:8Amplified Bible

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

So I encourage you. Whatever path you are on. Trust in God, the best GPS there is. He knows what direction is best for you!

God bless. 

Rev. Kev.

Just Enough.

 There is a something that I have been noticing lately. I have been noticing people who are doing just enough to get the job done. I'm talking about people who put in just enough effort to get by. They only scrap their windshield to get a big enough spot where they can see and then head off down the road. Shovel just enough to get to their car door, leaving the rest of the driveway untouched! Not going to lie. I have done this once in a while, but not very often. I always think about the other cars on the road that I am going to see. Can I see them enough not to crash? Can I see traffic lights? Stop signs? Other people? I pray that I can. I think about my family who also has to use the driveway. To get out and get to work. I am not the only one that lives there. 

I think about people at work who do just enough to get their job "done". Putting material away. Place it just inside the door so that it closes. Doesn't matter if it's in the way of the next person entering the warehouse. As long as it's out of their way, they are good.

I don't want to be thought of in this kind of way. I want people to know that I went out of my way to take care of business, they way that it should've. I don't want to be perceived as lazy or selfish! If I claim the name of Jesus, how can I represent Him by doing just enough? I want to have integrity. I want to show Him to others by my actions.

Titus 2:7 New Living Translation

7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

It may take some extra effort to do the right thing, but the results will be worth it. Your car will be cleaned off so others can see you and you see them. Your driveway will be clear so the rest of the family can get out without any issues. Material will be put away in organized fashion. Make it easier for the next person to get to and use.

Colossians 3:23-25 The Message

22-25 Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.

I'm not saying this to say look how much better I am than everyone else. Far from it. I am still guilty of doing these things. Sometimes I let the bad thoughts take over what I know is good. Just this once, what will it hurt? You'll never know how your actions affect others. I want to affect them in a good way, not a negative one!

I try to live my life Biblically. What The Bible says to do, I try to do it with the best of my ability. But, sometimes, other thoughts take over. When that happens, I have to remind myself of Gods word!

Romans 8:1 Amplified Bible

8 Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].

I encourage you. When faced with taking a short cut or doing it the right way. always choose the right way. It will work out much better for you in the end! Do more than just enough!

God bless.

Rev. Kev.