This morning as I prayed for guidance, direction and wisdom God made something very clear to me. The Holy Spirits power will come when I desire the Spirit more than anything else in my life. I must be willing to let go of all things that would keep the Spirit from filling me. Join me today if you dare to allow the Holy Spirit of God to change you in a powerful way. And know that this will only happen if you are willing to let go of everything that hinders the spirit!
If you pray this prayer, you will know what things you must let go of. "Dear Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit so that I may be used in a powerful way for your kingdom. Show me what things in my life are hindering the Holy Spirit's presence and give me the strength and the fortitude to put all such things aside that I may be empowered and useful to your plan. In Jesus name. Amen!
I will see you all soon. Love, pastor kent
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
Mondays thoughts…..You have the KEY!
Imagine you are stranded on a desert Island. There has been a shipwreck and you have survived the ordeal. You and three others have made it to the shore of a small deserted island along with a large metal container. The container contains everything you will need to survive. Water, food rations, medical supplies, shelter, fire starters and two way radios with batteries, life rafts, flashlights and other survival items. The problem is, the container is chained and padlocked. Opening that container means life and rescue, not opening the container means death. Before the voyage you were each instructed that in the event of an unlikely emergency there is a special key in each of your staterooms. Before bailing from the vessel make sure to take the key! The Key can be used to open the emergency supply containers.
You and the other three survivors are exhausted. You begin assessing the island and your situation. All three of you come to the conclusion that a top priority is to access water. There is no fresh water on the island. Arguing begins on what should be done to find water. There is panic and anger and fear. Night comes and it gets cold. There is a possibility of hyperthermia so all three of you huddle next to the large metal survival container for shelter from the wind. Another day passes and thirst becomes a major issue. Where will we find water? What are we going to do? And yes the survival keys are in each of the survivors pockets. Life is available but instead they continue to argue, worry, and perish!
Ridiculous you might say! I agree. Ridiculous! Just like most of us who call ourselves Christians and do not use the Key that God has given to each of us….PRAYER. Prayer unlocks the survival container of Gods wisdom, Gods guidance, Gods power over all things.
You and the other three survivors are exhausted. You begin assessing the island and your situation. All three of you come to the conclusion that a top priority is to access water. There is no fresh water on the island. Arguing begins on what should be done to find water. There is panic and anger and fear. Night comes and it gets cold. There is a possibility of hyperthermia so all three of you huddle next to the large metal survival container for shelter from the wind. Another day passes and thirst becomes a major issue. Where will we find water? What are we going to do? And yes the survival keys are in each of the survivors pockets. Life is available but instead they continue to argue, worry, and perish!
Ridiculous you might say! I agree. Ridiculous! Just like most of us who call ourselves Christians and do not use the Key that God has given to each of us….PRAYER. Prayer unlocks the survival container of Gods wisdom, Gods guidance, Gods power over all things.
John 15:77 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Philippians 4:66 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Luke 11:99 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Jeremiah 33:33 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
You too have the key of life but if you are like me, we choose way too often not to use it! Why?
Use the key on every circumstance in your life and use the key on others who are stranded and seeking survival. Use the key and live!
See you soon. Love, pastor kent
Saturday, October 18, 2014
The Best Answer
Saturday Night Live used to have a skit where the answer to improving the music was, "More Cowbell!"
For the Christian, for every problem you will ever face in life, the best answer is "More Jesus!"
Tomorrow evening 6:30 Crystal Garden. We will come together to worship, pray together, call on the Holy Spirit together, and get closer to Jesus! Jesus has the answers and the strength to get you through anything you are facing!
See you there! Love, pastor kent
Friday, October 17, 2014
Misplaced
Have you ever lost your cell phone or keys? Let me ask you something, when that happens, what becomes the top priority in your life? Nothing else matters until what is lost is found, right?
Are you seeking God? Seeking Him in every circumstance in your life? Your health, your relationships, your dreams, plans, and goals, your finances, your business? God is a God of EVERYTHING!
We tend to seek Him more from a menu than in all areas of our lives. Well let's see, I'm not feeling well so I will seek Him about my health and I really need help with my relationship with…?
My money? No I'm good there I really don't need Him in that area.
How about my leisure time, my entertainment choices? Do I seek God in those area's of my life or are these areas "off limits" to Him? We tend to pick and choose where we need or want God's input.
Jesus is to be Lord of our lives.
LORD
Bring Him into all circumstances and seek Him as if you were seeking your lost keys or phone. You won't find His fullness in just an hour a week at church. It will take personal effort and reading of Gods word. You must allow Him into every area of your life. That will only happen if you develop a trusting relationship with Him.
Is making God Lord over every area of your life possible? Yes
Is it easy? No!
As a pastor do I fail? Yes
How do I handle my failures? I repent and continue to seek Him for guidance. I know when I am drifting from His presence and it usually happens when I have not spent enough time in prayer and reading the bible. I have to recharge daily! For me it takes at least an hour and many times it takes several hours. But just like my cell phone, if I don't fully recharge, I am limited as to how long I can stay God focused.
So if I don't spend at least an hour a day in bible reading and prayer I'm screwed? No! If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you are Saved and Loved and Accepted! Never forget that. But without time invested "with" God you are giving up the Peace, Hope and Confidence that is available to you!
Hope to see you Sunday! 6:30PM The Crystal Garden. Come and be changed! Love, pastor kent
Are you seeking God? Seeking Him in every circumstance in your life? Your health, your relationships, your dreams, plans, and goals, your finances, your business? God is a God of EVERYTHING!
We tend to seek Him more from a menu than in all areas of our lives. Well let's see, I'm not feeling well so I will seek Him about my health and I really need help with my relationship with…?
My money? No I'm good there I really don't need Him in that area.
How about my leisure time, my entertainment choices? Do I seek God in those area's of my life or are these areas "off limits" to Him? We tend to pick and choose where we need or want God's input.
Jesus is to be Lord of our lives.
LORD
- someone or something having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler:
Bring Him into all circumstances and seek Him as if you were seeking your lost keys or phone. You won't find His fullness in just an hour a week at church. It will take personal effort and reading of Gods word. You must allow Him into every area of your life. That will only happen if you develop a trusting relationship with Him.
Is making God Lord over every area of your life possible? Yes
Is it easy? No!
As a pastor do I fail? Yes
How do I handle my failures? I repent and continue to seek Him for guidance. I know when I am drifting from His presence and it usually happens when I have not spent enough time in prayer and reading the bible. I have to recharge daily! For me it takes at least an hour and many times it takes several hours. But just like my cell phone, if I don't fully recharge, I am limited as to how long I can stay God focused.
So if I don't spend at least an hour a day in bible reading and prayer I'm screwed? No! If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you are Saved and Loved and Accepted! Never forget that. But without time invested "with" God you are giving up the Peace, Hope and Confidence that is available to you!
Hope to see you Sunday! 6:30PM The Crystal Garden. Come and be changed! Love, pastor kent
Thursday, October 16, 2014
One's Christianity may begin with words. "God loved all of us crazy, messed up people so much that He sent his own son to die for us so that if we accept that sacrifice and believe in Jesus, that we too will have eternal life!"
But to experience the fullness of Christianity, the words must become action. Love is not a feeling but an action. How will they know we love them if we don't make love an experience rather than a concept? God showed us how much He loved us through His son Jesus.
This Sunday, we will look at putting love into action. Sermon "Blown Away, ...Let's get Radical!"
See you soon. Love, pastor kent
But to experience the fullness of Christianity, the words must become action. Love is not a feeling but an action. How will they know we love them if we don't make love an experience rather than a concept? God showed us how much He loved us through His son Jesus.
This Sunday, we will look at putting love into action. Sermon "Blown Away, ...Let's get Radical!"
See you soon. Love, pastor kent
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
What Does God Want Us (PCF) To Do?
That is my question of the day. What does God want PCF to do?
When I was asked to be the pastor of this wonderful group of people now known as Praise Community Fellowship, I saw group of excited, motivated, eager, maybe even overly eager people wanting to make something wonderful happen. I'm not sure anyone at the time could define what exactly that something wonderful was, but whatever it was, it was going to happen and be big and amazing!
So here we are 31/2 years later and I want to take the time to review and address where we have been and what lies ahead. Many of you now realize that creating a church from the ground up is hard work. It can be demanding, and there are many challenges. No different, I might add, from what the disciples faced as they launched out trying to bring the Gospel to the world. The disciples were bringing a brand new message to a world that had never heard of Jesus and His teachings. We on the other hand have a different challenge. We are trying to introduce people to the reality of the living Jesus (aka Christianity) to people who think they already know what "Christianity" is, and many of them want no part of it! And some for good reasons!
Praise Community Fellowship has come a long way! We overcome many obstacles and we will continue to face new obstacles as we move forward. The key is allowing God to be the leader of the church. As I have said many times before, "we are conducting a grand experiment in love!" The people of this church are stepping up and doing what needs to be done. We continue to volunteer and push forward even when sometimes the pushing gets a little steep.
What does God want us to do? To me it can be summed up fairly simply, "Keep loving and trusting God! Keep loving and trusting one another!, Keep praying for guidance and patience!
God knows exactly where we are, and He knows exactly where we need to go. We are on Gods path because that is the only path that leads to victory. All other paths are dead ends. My sermon last Sunday is very important for all of us. When you reach a point of being worn out, worn down, getting frustrated and impatient it is a sure sign that you need to "Withdraw" for a time of prayer and recharging. If your service to God is making you more edgy, worn down, angry, resentful, etc. I've got news for you, you are no longer serving God. That is why I posted my last blog. Short, sweet, and to the point! "In christian service Motive is everything!"
As we move toward the Holiday season, above all, let love be your light in all that you do! Love
Announcements: Steve Klingle our Bass player and his fiancé Linda Biarkis have invited the congregation to come celebrate their wedding November 15th, at 3:00PM in the afternoon at Holiday Shores Club House. If yo can attend please RSVP ASAP to lucy12055@gmail.com or call Linda at 618-541-6646. As a reminder No Gifts Please!
We are planning for the Halloween booth to be set up at Barb Joiners Office Oct. 29th. for the Edwardsville Halloween Parade. Our church will be handing out hot dogs and drinks to the parade goers was well as fliers about our church! If you are wanting to volunteer let me know and I will get you on the list. There will be plenty to do!
Sincerely, and with love, pastor kent
When I was asked to be the pastor of this wonderful group of people now known as Praise Community Fellowship, I saw group of excited, motivated, eager, maybe even overly eager people wanting to make something wonderful happen. I'm not sure anyone at the time could define what exactly that something wonderful was, but whatever it was, it was going to happen and be big and amazing!
So here we are 31/2 years later and I want to take the time to review and address where we have been and what lies ahead. Many of you now realize that creating a church from the ground up is hard work. It can be demanding, and there are many challenges. No different, I might add, from what the disciples faced as they launched out trying to bring the Gospel to the world. The disciples were bringing a brand new message to a world that had never heard of Jesus and His teachings. We on the other hand have a different challenge. We are trying to introduce people to the reality of the living Jesus (aka Christianity) to people who think they already know what "Christianity" is, and many of them want no part of it! And some for good reasons!
Praise Community Fellowship has come a long way! We overcome many obstacles and we will continue to face new obstacles as we move forward. The key is allowing God to be the leader of the church. As I have said many times before, "we are conducting a grand experiment in love!" The people of this church are stepping up and doing what needs to be done. We continue to volunteer and push forward even when sometimes the pushing gets a little steep.
What does God want us to do? To me it can be summed up fairly simply, "Keep loving and trusting God! Keep loving and trusting one another!, Keep praying for guidance and patience!
God knows exactly where we are, and He knows exactly where we need to go. We are on Gods path because that is the only path that leads to victory. All other paths are dead ends. My sermon last Sunday is very important for all of us. When you reach a point of being worn out, worn down, getting frustrated and impatient it is a sure sign that you need to "Withdraw" for a time of prayer and recharging. If your service to God is making you more edgy, worn down, angry, resentful, etc. I've got news for you, you are no longer serving God. That is why I posted my last blog. Short, sweet, and to the point! "In christian service Motive is everything!"
As we move toward the Holiday season, above all, let love be your light in all that you do! Love
Announcements: Steve Klingle our Bass player and his fiancé Linda Biarkis have invited the congregation to come celebrate their wedding November 15th, at 3:00PM in the afternoon at Holiday Shores Club House. If yo can attend please RSVP ASAP to lucy12055@gmail.com or call Linda at 618-541-6646. As a reminder No Gifts Please!
We are planning for the Halloween booth to be set up at Barb Joiners Office Oct. 29th. for the Edwardsville Halloween Parade. Our church will be handing out hot dogs and drinks to the parade goers was well as fliers about our church! If you are wanting to volunteer let me know and I will get you on the list. There will be plenty to do!
Sincerely, and with love, pastor kent
Monday, October 13, 2014
Simple Monday
In christian service Motive is everything!
Kick that one around for a while.
Love, pastor kent
Kick that one around for a while.
Love, pastor kent
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