The Garden Club will meet again tonight at the Edwardsville Care Center on the corner of Route 143 and St. Mary Drive Edwardsville. We meet at 6:30.
You have heard it said, "I am saved by Grace" and "Let's say Grace before we eat."
So what is Grace?
Grace is the undeserved favor of God. It is where God shows us mercy, kindness, and patience instead of the judgment that we deserve for sinning against him. God's grace cannot be earned by our actions or sincerity. It cannot be lost by our rebellion or sin. Grace is based on the character of God and not on our sincerity, performance, or ability to keep the law of God. Otherwise, grace would not be grace.
I like what Paul Zahl writes about Grace:
"Grace doesn’t make demands. It just gives. And from our vantage point, it always gives to the wrong person. We see this over and over again in the Gospels: Jesus is always giving to the wrong people—prostitutes, tax collectors, half-breeds. The most extravagant sinners of Jesus’s day receive his most compassionate welcome." We are called to do the same!
What about saying Grace before a meal?
Grace is an expression of our genuine gratitude to God for the food – which is why we say, “Thank You”
See you tonight at Garden Club. God has a plan for your life!
Love, pastor Kent
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
When will we Get It?
First let me apologize for throwing this news into my blog but I feel compelled because maybe this is why so many people have had it with Christianity. God teaches so much when you are "tuned in" to His channel. It started yesterday when I went with Bonni to the opening day celebrations in St. Louis. Bonni had a work function and asked me to go with her. Here was my observation.
It was 42 degrees, cold, nasty, raining and yet there were thousands of people flocking to the opening day celebration. As we struggled to find a parking spot I said to Bonni, "Isn't it amazing how people will come out in this miserable cold rainy weather for a ball game?" I said, "I wonder how many would have been here if it were a church service? OK so I am not against having fun, not at all. use an observation and then today the news. But maybe the following news article is why the church is loosing so many people.
The news:
It was 42 degrees, cold, nasty, raining and yet there were thousands of people flocking to the opening day celebration. As we struggled to find a parking spot I said to Bonni, "Isn't it amazing how people will come out in this miserable cold rainy weather for a ball game?" I said, "I wonder how many would have been here if it were a church service? OK so I am not against having fun, not at all. use an observation and then today the news. But maybe the following news article is why the church is loosing so many people.
The news:
GOP Rep. Vance McAllister has provided yet another demonstration of the perils of selling yourself as a candidate of faith and family values. McAllister issued an apology yesterday, after the Ouachita Citizen published surveillance footage from December showing the 40-year-old congressman from Louisiana passionately making out with staffer Melissa Anne Hixon Peacock, who is 33 and married. McAllister's chief of staff confirms to the Monroe News-Star that Peacock has been taken off payroll. McAllister, meanwhile, plans to stand for re-election next fall, "unless there is an outcry for me not to serve, and so far there has been an outpouring of support, not for my actions, but for me to continue to represent the people."
McAllister has been married for 16 years, and his wife and five children featured prominently in several TV ads. He's also touted his Christianity in ads, and several outlets have pointed out that he was endorsed by Bible-loving Duck Dynasty stars Phil and Willie Robertson—the latter of whom McAllister later invited to the State of the Union address. (Source: Newser)
Ok I realize there are many things in this story that can make your blood boil but I am going to stick to one issue, advertising your Christianity as way to make yourself look good.
So here is the deal dear fellow Christians. STOP…PLEASE STOP telling people you are a Christian if you are doing so for your own benefit, to try and lift yourself up as if you are better than others. Just BE a Christian. It will be obvious and you won't have to try and sell your superiority which doesn't exist anyway.
And then to all who may read this blog who may not have committed their life to Jesus yet let me just be real honest with you. We Christians, just like everyone else in this world are all messed up, everyone of us. We are are sinners, we mess up, we let people down, we make people angry, we are just like all of you with one huge exception. We as practicing Christians believe in Jesus and His sacrifice that paid the debt for our sins. That is why Easter is so big for us. We come together to celebrate Jesus' resurrection after He was crucified on a cross over 2,000 years ago. He was brought back to life to demonstrate to the world that He was who He claimed to be, The Son of God. And that anyone who believes in Him and gets to know Him will also have eternal life. And not just any old like we have here on earth but a life of perfect health, happiness, Joy. A perfect life with no pain, illness or sorrows. The life that we were meant to have back when God created us in the beginning.
I am sorry that we as Christians have let so many down by our actions. So here is what I want everyone who reads this to know. As practicing Christians we are called to love one another, forgive one another, and show mercy on those who let us down. Jesus' teachings are life changing. So with that in mind Vance McAllister messed up. He knows it. His biggest mistake was advertising his Christianity as something that made him superior to the rest of us. God will forgive him if he repents. But here is the bottom line. My Belief in Jesus doesn't make me superior to anyone. I'm not perfect because I believe in Jesus. I'm not exempt from making mistakes because I believe in Jesus, but I am very blessed to have Jesus in my life. You won't understand that until you experience it. Our church, Praise Community Fellowship is about helping people experience Jesus. If you have questions about this blog send me an email. OK enough now lets move on.
Have a great blessed day because "God has a plan for your life!"
Love, pastor Kent
Monday, April 7, 2014
Three Great Questions
After last nights service I had three great questions asked about the sermon.
1.) The first question was about the story of Martha and Mary. The person asked me, "What if you are a servant type and want to serve others?"
Answer: The parable is not discouraging a person from being a servant because we are called as Christians to become servants. In the case of Mary and Martha, Martha was very busy preparing a meal for Jesus while Mary sat at His feet and had a conversation. Martha gets a little miffed about this and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her in the kitchen. Basically Martha is saying, "Hey, this isn't fair, I should have not have to do all the work while Mary gets all of your attention!"
The key here is Choice. No one appointed Martha to busy herself, she chose to do it. And there was nothing wrong with Martha's choice. The issue is the attitude of Martha. She chose to be a servant which is wonderful until she resents her own decision and gets angry at her sister who made a different choice. I think we can all relate to this. We get involved on a committee or volunteer to help with something and then get a resentful spirit because we think others just aren't contributing in the way we think they should. The other lesson here is knowing that there is a time to be busy and a time to become quiet at the feet of Jesus. Sunday worship is a great example. We have many things to attend to other than with God and others in worship.
2.) The second question I was asked was about prayer. The person asked me, "I want to pray for someone but I do not know what to pray for, I do not want to pray the wrong thing?"
Answer: The key here is what we talked about in the Parable of the Good Father. (Luke: 11-13) Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. The reason we should pray everyday for the filling of the Holy Spirit is because the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us revelation from God. The Holy Spirit "knows" exactly what you need to pray for, who you need to pray for, when you need to pray. The Holy Spirit speaks to us directly from God. Too often we pray in our own power and without the power of the Holy Spirit and then wonder why our prayers are not being answered. The "SECRET" to powerful prayer is allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us and to instruct us as to what to pray for. When we do that we can know for sure that we are praying within Gods will and will then know for sure our prayers will be answered.
3.) The third question was about how to feed and exercise our Spirit. This person said, "I understood how we can exercise our bodies by the doing 4-10s I illustrated and by eating healthy. Give me something specific I can do to feed and exercise my Spirit.
Answer: I am going to answer this one in a separate blog post. Great questions, keep them coming.
God has a plan for your life! See you soon, pastor Kent
1.) The first question was about the story of Martha and Mary. The person asked me, "What if you are a servant type and want to serve others?"
Answer: The parable is not discouraging a person from being a servant because we are called as Christians to become servants. In the case of Mary and Martha, Martha was very busy preparing a meal for Jesus while Mary sat at His feet and had a conversation. Martha gets a little miffed about this and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her in the kitchen. Basically Martha is saying, "Hey, this isn't fair, I should have not have to do all the work while Mary gets all of your attention!"
The key here is Choice. No one appointed Martha to busy herself, she chose to do it. And there was nothing wrong with Martha's choice. The issue is the attitude of Martha. She chose to be a servant which is wonderful until she resents her own decision and gets angry at her sister who made a different choice. I think we can all relate to this. We get involved on a committee or volunteer to help with something and then get a resentful spirit because we think others just aren't contributing in the way we think they should. The other lesson here is knowing that there is a time to be busy and a time to become quiet at the feet of Jesus. Sunday worship is a great example. We have many things to attend to other than with God and others in worship.
2.) The second question I was asked was about prayer. The person asked me, "I want to pray for someone but I do not know what to pray for, I do not want to pray the wrong thing?"
Answer: The key here is what we talked about in the Parable of the Good Father. (Luke: 11-13) Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. The reason we should pray everyday for the filling of the Holy Spirit is because the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us revelation from God. The Holy Spirit "knows" exactly what you need to pray for, who you need to pray for, when you need to pray. The Holy Spirit speaks to us directly from God. Too often we pray in our own power and without the power of the Holy Spirit and then wonder why our prayers are not being answered. The "SECRET" to powerful prayer is allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us and to instruct us as to what to pray for. When we do that we can know for sure that we are praying within Gods will and will then know for sure our prayers will be answered.
3.) The third question was about how to feed and exercise our Spirit. This person said, "I understood how we can exercise our bodies by the doing 4-10s I illustrated and by eating healthy. Give me something specific I can do to feed and exercise my Spirit.
Answer: I am going to answer this one in a separate blog post. Great questions, keep them coming.
God has a plan for your life! See you soon, pastor Kent
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Tonight: Interesting, Honest, and Just being Real!
Tonight 6:30. I hope you will join us this evening. We will be sharing communion and looking at another of Jesus' parables and trying to answer the question, "Why don't I experience more results from my prayers?"
Maybe the title of the sermon should be, "Lets just get honest with one another!"
God has a plan for your life! He really does! See you tonight. Love, pastor Kent
A note from Sheryl Burian:
Maybe the title of the sermon should be, "Lets just get honest with one another!"
God has a plan for your life! He really does! See you tonight. Love, pastor Kent
A note from Sheryl Burian:
Dear Praise Community Fellowship Friends:
Leah Kaburick and I are organizing "Sharing The Love of Jesus Bookmark Project"! All ages are encouraged to participate! We are asking for donations of any size used or new greeting cards. The fronts of the cards will be used to make a bookmark with a scripture on the back. We would like to collect the cards on Sundays in April the 6th,13th, Easter Service 19th, and 27th. Look for the box outside the sanctuary to drop off the cards.
After we check with Esic Baptist building schedule, a couple of project work days will be scheduled in May and announced at a later date. All ages are welcome and encouraged to participate in the bookmark project. All who participate on the work days are asked to bring a pair of scissors. All other supplies will be provided.
We will donate the bookmarks and send the message of Jesus’s love to uplift the residents and patients at the Edwardsville Care Center, Beverly Farms, to Zambia with African Vision of Hope, and/or to any other organizations.
If you have questions, contact me at 618-806-4623 or rburian1974@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Sheryl Burian
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Tonight
Raise the Praise African Vision of Hope Concert Tonight 7:00PM Maryville Baptist Church on Highway 162. Tickets available at the door.
This will be a night of music and Praise, I hope you will join us in supporting this amazing ministry.
See you tonight. Love, pastor Kent
This will be a night of music and Praise, I hope you will join us in supporting this amazing ministry.
See you tonight. Love, pastor Kent
Thursday, April 3, 2014
What's My Ministry cont….
You may have a "Serial" ministry!
When we first started Praise Community Fellowship I told the board to drop all their preconceived ideas of what they thought church should be. Why? Because when we think we know how something is supposed to be, we prevent God from being able to guide us in the direction He wants to take us.
So, when you think of your personal ministry try to let go all of your own thoughts of what that ministry should look like. Even the term ministry probably conjures up ideas of having to go to Africa, or starting a food bank, or preaching the Gospel from a street corner. Although any of those things could become your ministry, I would say the odds are probably much more likely that God will use you in what I call a serial ministry just like He used the Samaritan person in the parable in the Good Samaritan.
In-other-words God will give us one project at a time. It may be as simple as taking the time to listen to someone who needs to talk about something important to them. I don't know about you but it has become very aware to me that very few people want to be good, compassionate listeners today. Most people seem to want to be talkers. The world is in great need of Spirit Filled Listeners. A listener has to minister to one person at a time. Yes listening can be a powerful ministry.
As you continue to pray to God asking for guidance for your personal ministry, also ask Him to give you a receptive and willing heart to whatever He places in your path. Remember the Samaritan was going about his normal day. He too had a schedule and things to do when he came across the injured man. The Samaritan, just like the priest and the Levite, had to make a choice. The choice was, "Do I stop and get involved or do I ignore the suffering of this person and go about my day?"
When God places a "project" in front of you go to Him in prayer and open your heart to His prompting. In the parable, the Lawyer asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" And Jesus replied with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The need in this world can be summed up very simply. The need is LOVE in motion!
Love is when you make the health, the happiness, the well being, and the success of another person as important as your own health, happiness, well being, and success. God wants you to be a vessel of His overflowing love and He will guide you to who He wants you to shower with that love. It may be one person or it may be thousands of people like Bob and Judi Bertels' ministry of African Vision of Hope. The important thing is not whether you are serving one or many, it is that you are allowing God to use you at His discretion with whomever He places in your path.
Coming soon…."The LOVE FACTOR!"
God has a plan for your life!
See you soon. Love, pastor Kent
NOTE: There only a few tickets left for the African Vision of Hope Concert Saturday at 7:00PM Maryville Baptist Church! Call Judi Bertels if you want to be sure to get a seat to this amazing night of love presented by the Raise the Praise Choir and band. There will be a few tickets saved back available at the door. Judi's AVOH number 618-288-7695
When we first started Praise Community Fellowship I told the board to drop all their preconceived ideas of what they thought church should be. Why? Because when we think we know how something is supposed to be, we prevent God from being able to guide us in the direction He wants to take us.
So, when you think of your personal ministry try to let go all of your own thoughts of what that ministry should look like. Even the term ministry probably conjures up ideas of having to go to Africa, or starting a food bank, or preaching the Gospel from a street corner. Although any of those things could become your ministry, I would say the odds are probably much more likely that God will use you in what I call a serial ministry just like He used the Samaritan person in the parable in the Good Samaritan.
In-other-words God will give us one project at a time. It may be as simple as taking the time to listen to someone who needs to talk about something important to them. I don't know about you but it has become very aware to me that very few people want to be good, compassionate listeners today. Most people seem to want to be talkers. The world is in great need of Spirit Filled Listeners. A listener has to minister to one person at a time. Yes listening can be a powerful ministry.
As you continue to pray to God asking for guidance for your personal ministry, also ask Him to give you a receptive and willing heart to whatever He places in your path. Remember the Samaritan was going about his normal day. He too had a schedule and things to do when he came across the injured man. The Samaritan, just like the priest and the Levite, had to make a choice. The choice was, "Do I stop and get involved or do I ignore the suffering of this person and go about my day?"
When God places a "project" in front of you go to Him in prayer and open your heart to His prompting. In the parable, the Lawyer asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" And Jesus replied with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The need in this world can be summed up very simply. The need is LOVE in motion!
Love is when you make the health, the happiness, the well being, and the success of another person as important as your own health, happiness, well being, and success. God wants you to be a vessel of His overflowing love and He will guide you to who He wants you to shower with that love. It may be one person or it may be thousands of people like Bob and Judi Bertels' ministry of African Vision of Hope. The important thing is not whether you are serving one or many, it is that you are allowing God to use you at His discretion with whomever He places in your path.
Coming soon…."The LOVE FACTOR!"
God has a plan for your life!
See you soon. Love, pastor Kent
NOTE: There only a few tickets left for the African Vision of Hope Concert Saturday at 7:00PM Maryville Baptist Church! Call Judi Bertels if you want to be sure to get a seat to this amazing night of love presented by the Raise the Praise Choir and band. There will be a few tickets saved back available at the door. Judi's AVOH number 618-288-7695
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Wednesday What's Happening?
Garden Club Tonight 6:30 Edwardsville care Center Corner of St. Mary Drive and Route 143 Edwardsville.
PCF Easter Service Plans Saturday Evening April 19th at 6:30. I'll keep you posted on any additional info or changes.
What's my ministry? I have been asked this question by several people. I'm encouraged when people ask this question because it means they are thinking about it and are wanting to find it. If you are not sure what your ministry is, don't fret, don't worry, don't become discouraged. There are a couple of things I would suggest you do if your truly want to find your ministry.
1.) Prayer is the first thing! Pray and ask God to show you what your ministry is. Ask Him to help you discover it and then empower you to begin. If you are still struggling, call me and lets talk about it. Sometimes others can help you discover what your calling is.
2.) What has God been placing before you? Sometimes the answer is right in front of us but we don't think about a circumstance as a ministry. This is exactly what happened to the priest and the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan we talked about last Sunday. Ask God to "Open Your Spiritual Eyes" so that you can recognize what He is prompting you to do. And realize, as I mentioned in my sermon last Sunday, your mission will probably come packaged as a "disruption" rather than a nicely gift wrapped, "Won't this be a fun and rewarding thing to get involved with?" type ministry. When God lays it on your heart to GET INVOLVED HERE NOW, don't miss the blessing that will be part of the possible disruption.
Why do so many miss their ministry? I am convinced it is cultural. We have become so comfortable and set in our routines particularly here in America, that anything outside of our comfort zone gets vetoed real quick. It is very hard for God to work through us as He would like because we have set filters and parameters on what we are willing to do for Him. God is looking for a surrendered will and a surrendered heart.
There is a new home being built right across the street from my house. I watched the backhoe operator dig the basement. The backhoe is a tremendously powerful machine cable of moving tons of dirt and material in a very short period of time. The operator knew exactly how to use that machine to get the basement dug with precision. The backhoe had no mind of its own but was instrumental in the job getting accomplished. We are all backhoes that need God as the operator. When He becomes our operator an immense amount of good happens for His Kingdom.
God has a plan or your life! Let Him have free reign over your controls!
Have a great day! See you soon. Love, pastor Kent
PCF Easter Service Plans Saturday Evening April 19th at 6:30. I'll keep you posted on any additional info or changes.
What's my ministry? I have been asked this question by several people. I'm encouraged when people ask this question because it means they are thinking about it and are wanting to find it. If you are not sure what your ministry is, don't fret, don't worry, don't become discouraged. There are a couple of things I would suggest you do if your truly want to find your ministry.
1.) Prayer is the first thing! Pray and ask God to show you what your ministry is. Ask Him to help you discover it and then empower you to begin. If you are still struggling, call me and lets talk about it. Sometimes others can help you discover what your calling is.
2.) What has God been placing before you? Sometimes the answer is right in front of us but we don't think about a circumstance as a ministry. This is exactly what happened to the priest and the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan we talked about last Sunday. Ask God to "Open Your Spiritual Eyes" so that you can recognize what He is prompting you to do. And realize, as I mentioned in my sermon last Sunday, your mission will probably come packaged as a "disruption" rather than a nicely gift wrapped, "Won't this be a fun and rewarding thing to get involved with?" type ministry. When God lays it on your heart to GET INVOLVED HERE NOW, don't miss the blessing that will be part of the possible disruption.
Why do so many miss their ministry? I am convinced it is cultural. We have become so comfortable and set in our routines particularly here in America, that anything outside of our comfort zone gets vetoed real quick. It is very hard for God to work through us as He would like because we have set filters and parameters on what we are willing to do for Him. God is looking for a surrendered will and a surrendered heart.
There is a new home being built right across the street from my house. I watched the backhoe operator dig the basement. The backhoe is a tremendously powerful machine cable of moving tons of dirt and material in a very short period of time. The operator knew exactly how to use that machine to get the basement dug with precision. The backhoe had no mind of its own but was instrumental in the job getting accomplished. We are all backhoes that need God as the operator. When He becomes our operator an immense amount of good happens for His Kingdom.
God has a plan or your life! Let Him have free reign over your controls!
Have a great day! See you soon. Love, pastor Kent
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