The #1 Problem for Most Christians

Do any of these questions ring a bell with you?

• Is God real?
• Why don't I experience miracles?
• Why isn't God speaking to me?
• Why aren't my prayers being answered?
• Why do I still Have so many problems?

These are questions that many of us have had at one time or another as we grow into our Christian walk. All of these questions have a basic answer. It is what I have found to be the #1 problem with most Christians including myself.

So Whats the Answer to the The #1 problem for Most Christians?  We want what Christianity has to offer "but" we want it without having to make any changes in our lives.   It ain't gonna to happen that way!  

If you want to experience all that God has to offer....which is better than anything you can possibly imagine, then you are going to have to make changes in your life.  There is no getting around it.  No change equals........... no change in your Christian walk!

This next Sunday I will be talking about this and some other great stuff!   Hope to see you Sunday, July 14th 6:00 PM  Esic Baptist....back in the sanctuary.  

Beautiful Sunday Morning

We had a very nice early service today. We saw a beautiful sunrise and had perfect weather.  Thanks to Brad and Barb Joiner for all the pastries and coffee, what a surprise and thank you Rusty and Sheryl for the communion supplies and setup.

Here are a few thoughts for this week to make your faith and the power of God come alive:

1.) Go to God in prayer and ask Him to lead you to someone who needs something that you can supply.  

2.) Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to at least one person this week that you can go to and ask, "Can I  pray for you?" 

3.) Ask God to show you what provisions you have that He has need of.

Being a Christian is not passive but extremely active.  It requires you to participate.  It requires you to step out of your comfort zone. It requires you to love God and completely trust Him. It will require you to make changes to your life.

I will see you all this next Sunday July 14th, 6:30 PM  Esic Church.   

God has a plan for your life. Get on with it. Trust Him because that is the only way to true fulfillment and Peace!

Love,  Pastor Kent

This Sunday July 7th 6:00 am Service Glik Park

The 6:00 AM service at Glik park is on go.  I will be talking about how God uses people who are willing to leave their comfort zone.  We will be receiving communion tomorrow.  Come for all things are made ready.

Bring your coffee, possibly a jacket or sweater, I don't know what the temp will be but the one thing I can assure you is this, God will be present:

Matthew 18:20

²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

How was your independence day weekend? 

We love our independence.  It usually starts when we are small children.  We want to do it on our own.  My grand daughter has reached the age when she reminds me regularly that she is a "big girl!"  She can do it herself.

We can't wait until we get old enough to get our drivers license so we can become more independent.  We can't wait until we can move out on our own, (sometimes parents can't wait either) so we can become more independent. Then, after we get out of college we hope to "make it big" so we can become financially independent. There is even a commercial that use to run on TV asking if we know what our figure is meaning how much do we need to accumulate so we can retire.  

As we get older we hope we can maintain or independence.  And on and on.  Is it any wonder why we all find it so hard in this country as we celebrate independence day, to make ourselves dependent on God?  I believe many Christians also want their independence from Him too.  This is nothing new however. Read the stories of the bible and it becomes clear that man seeks his independence from God.  But God calls us to become dependent on Him and His ways.

Oh there is so much to learn.  Hope to see you tomorrow where we will continue this discussion and talk more about the future of PCF.....  Gods way.

God has a plan for you.  It's waiting to be opened like big birthday present.   Come tomorrow and start tearing off the wrapper to find out what's inside.  Love, Pastor Kent

What Does God See for Praise Community Fellowship?

That is the question we are asking God to clarify for our church.  God will speak to you just as He will speak to me or any member of our fellowship. We have been brought together by God for a purpose and we want to fulfill that purpose to the best of our ability.

We know from the Bible that God wants His people to rely on and trust in Him completely.  We know from the Bible that when His people trust Him and stay close to Him He rewards them.

We  know from the New Testament that we as Christians are called to preach the Gospel to all the world and we are to remain in fellowship with one another as believers so as to grow Spiritually and strengthen one another's walk.

What is God telling you about our future?  The answer will come from prayer and Bible reading.  God still communicates with His people.  We just need to take the time to go to Him and listen.

The Jesus Experiment Week 5
This week we will look at an Old Testament verse from Psalms to meditate on and practice.

Psalm 25:3-5

³ No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.

⁴ Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long

See you this Sunday 6:00am  Glik Park on East Lake Drive off of Gerber road. Look I finally spelled (Glik) correctly! 

You cannot get to the park from Rt. 143 due to road construction. You will have to come in on  Rte. 159 turn at the QT gas station onto Goshen Road. You will be driving East.  Turn left onto Gerber Road and follow it approx. 1 mile.  Turn right onto East Lake Drive, Glik park will be on your right in about 1/4 mile on the right. There are signs.

Love, Pastor Kent

Make This 4th of July a Turning Point in Your Life!

I have been using this summer schedule for much prayer, reading and reflection.  Today being the 4th of July, usually a time of Bar-b-Qs, celebration, family and friends, water melon, and fireworks, I find myself seeking to make myself more available to God.  Because, that is the only way to find my highest calling.  That is true for all believers.

Christians today, for the most part are passive Christians.  We like the concept of God, we like learning the concepts of Jesus and all about His teachings but when it comes to joining Him, that is a different story.  Why?  Why do we shy away from the God of the universe who created everything and is in control of everything?  What are we afraid of?  Especially when we read in the Bible that He loves us.  He only wants the best for us?  It is because we still think that we "HAVE" to be in control of our lives or else we will be miserable.

How about if you make this 4th of July a turning point in your life?  You will if you can honestly declare the following statement: "Lord, whatever I know to be Your will I will do.  Regardless of the cost and regardless of the adjustment I may have to make in my life, I commit myself to follow your will.  No matter what that looks like Lord I will do it! "

Do you think God could use someone like that?  That is what my prayer is for this 4th of July. Won't you join me in making yourself available to the King of the Universe?

See you this Sunday at 6:00 am  Glick Park!     Love, Pastor Kent

Sunday July 7th 6:00 am Service

On man that's really early.  I know and the real rub is, I really wanted it to be a true sunrise service but that means we would have to get there by 5:30 am because the sun is up at 5:43.  So lets just keep it at 6:00 am.  I will be serving communion to those who brave this early service.  Communion girls don't worry I have it handled you do not have to prepare a thing.

I am planning on meeting at the large pavilion, don't worry you won't miss it. I have been wanting to do an outside service for a long time and we will see how this goes. We will share the natural beauty of nature while coming together to worship.  Bring your coffee if you wish.

I will watch the weather and post on the blog if there is a change due to rain. I know there is a slight chance of rain predicted for this weekend. In the mean time enjoy the 4th and I will plan on seeing some of you on Sunday at 6:00 am!  

That's six o clock in the morning....really really early.  So set your alarm. Get up and come to the park.  This could be one of the best worship experiences of your life!  Who knows maybe we will start  meeting outside more often.  Invite some one who loves to get up early.

See you soon, Love, Pastor Kent

What Do You Want?

That question has two connotations to it. One is, it is said in anger or contempt and is actually a method of answering someone out of aggravation.  I think we all know that connotation well.  The other however is out of love and gives the question a more literal meaning.

The second connotation fulfills the definition of of love the I have used many times in my sermons.  Love always seeks to bless the object of its affection.  In this case, "What do you want?" is a sincere loving question that the person asking truly wishes to be able to fulfill.

Jesus asked this question of Bartimaeus.

Mark 10:45-52

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

So I ask this question of all of you, "What do you want?"

Hope to see you all this Sunday, Glick Park.  Times and info to come!    Love, Pastor Kent