John: 17:20 " I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message."
One of the statements we as believers share is " you are in my prayers." Often this is said when we find out that someone is in hardship or has fallen on rough times. Today's scripture tells us that we are in Jesus' prayers.
Talk about a wonderful place to be, to be prayed for by the very person to whom we pray, the son of God. When we lift people in prayer, we are also mindful of them, and this verse tells us that Jesus has his thoughts on us. Jesus thinks of us, because he loves us.
This is good news to share, that we have a savior that loves us so much he thinks and prays about us. The world view is, "out of sight out of mind", but God's view is always in sight and mind.
Truly we are loved.
Amen
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
and Peter too.
Mark 16:7 " But go, tell His disciples, and Peter to, "He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see HIm, just as He told you.'"
In the passion story, Peter turned on Jesus. Peter thought of himself as Jesus' right hand man, he was the rock of the church, thus the name Peter (a play on the Greek word "Petra" or rock). Here is the one who was the support of Jesus. But on that night before the crucifixion, Peter turned on Christ. In order to save his own skin, Peter denied, denounced and cursed any association with Jesus of Nazareth.
But at the Resurrection, the Angels tell Mary to make sure Peter knows. Why, because even though Peter could not forgive himself, Christ had already forgiven him. Peter was human, and subject to human frailties, and Christ knew the love and strength in Peter's heart. Peter could not live a life of regret for one bad decision.
This is the promise Christ gives to us. He does not expect us to live a life based on our bad decisions. Christ expects us to live a life based on the hope of the resurrection. All we need do is to ask for forgiveness. Christ offers us life and he calls out to his disciples, and you and me too.
Amen
In the passion story, Peter turned on Jesus. Peter thought of himself as Jesus' right hand man, he was the rock of the church, thus the name Peter (a play on the Greek word "Petra" or rock). Here is the one who was the support of Jesus. But on that night before the crucifixion, Peter turned on Christ. In order to save his own skin, Peter denied, denounced and cursed any association with Jesus of Nazareth.
But at the Resurrection, the Angels tell Mary to make sure Peter knows. Why, because even though Peter could not forgive himself, Christ had already forgiven him. Peter was human, and subject to human frailties, and Christ knew the love and strength in Peter's heart. Peter could not live a life of regret for one bad decision.
This is the promise Christ gives to us. He does not expect us to live a life based on our bad decisions. Christ expects us to live a life based on the hope of the resurrection. All we need do is to ask for forgiveness. Christ offers us life and he calls out to his disciples, and you and me too.
Amen
Monday, February 25, 2008
Forget it
Jeremiah 31:34b
"For I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins"
One of the problems of being human is trying to forget the wrongs that are done against us. We forgive, but that memory just seems to keep popping up its ugly head. We find it impossible to truly forget the wrong.
That is what's so awesome about our God. He has the ability to truly forget. When we confess our sins to him, and seek forgiveness, those sins are cast on the sea of forgetfulness. God never brings them up again, because they were paid for on the cross.
You see, to paraphrase a statement I heard, God doesn't hold anything over our heads, because his desire is to hold us in his hands.
God truly can forgive and forget. Go and do likewise.
Amen
"For I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins"
One of the problems of being human is trying to forget the wrongs that are done against us. We forgive, but that memory just seems to keep popping up its ugly head. We find it impossible to truly forget the wrong.
That is what's so awesome about our God. He has the ability to truly forget. When we confess our sins to him, and seek forgiveness, those sins are cast on the sea of forgetfulness. God never brings them up again, because they were paid for on the cross.
You see, to paraphrase a statement I heard, God doesn't hold anything over our heads, because his desire is to hold us in his hands.
God truly can forgive and forget. Go and do likewise.
Amen
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Letting God
Genesis 50:20 "Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good...".
Oswald Chambers once wrote "God doesn't tell us what He is going to do, He shows us who He is...". When we look at the story of Joseph, it isn't until the end of the book that we come to realize that all that Joseph went through was dictated by God.
When we give ourselves to Christ, we agree to allow God to work in our lives, even if we can't see what the result will be. Heeding God's call is not about what is best for us, but what is best for the Kingdom.
When God is in your life, good is going to be the eventual result. Let God show you who He is.
Amen
Oswald Chambers once wrote "God doesn't tell us what He is going to do, He shows us who He is...". When we look at the story of Joseph, it isn't until the end of the book that we come to realize that all that Joseph went through was dictated by God.
When we give ourselves to Christ, we agree to allow God to work in our lives, even if we can't see what the result will be. Heeding God's call is not about what is best for us, but what is best for the Kingdom.
When God is in your life, good is going to be the eventual result. Let God show you who He is.
Amen
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Seeing the Kingdom
Matthew 16:28 "Truly I tell you, there are those standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom" (NRSV)
Something extraordinary happened last Sunday. In a single church building, over 600 people from many diverse Christian denominations gathered to worship, praise and lift up a little girl in prayer.
In Doniphan, the community has come together to build a house that can be used by families with special needs children. It is called the Tiffany House, because of the insperation of one very sick and very loving little girl.
When I stood on that stage and shared with the crowd, I glimpsed the kingdom of God. Because I saw the body of Christ, and felt the moving of God's spirit on that crowd. Gone were the denominational designations, gone was the hurt of church breaks, gone was the animosity of superior belief. We all stood as equals before God, and acknowledged ourselves as made in the image of God.
I ask that you keep this community in your prayers as we long for a continuation of this revival. God is doing great things here, and throughout the world.
Dear Lord, keep the fire of revival lit in your world, and help us to fan the flames so that truly the world will know that thou art God. Amen
Something extraordinary happened last Sunday. In a single church building, over 600 people from many diverse Christian denominations gathered to worship, praise and lift up a little girl in prayer.
In Doniphan, the community has come together to build a house that can be used by families with special needs children. It is called the Tiffany House, because of the insperation of one very sick and very loving little girl.
When I stood on that stage and shared with the crowd, I glimpsed the kingdom of God. Because I saw the body of Christ, and felt the moving of God's spirit on that crowd. Gone were the denominational designations, gone was the hurt of church breaks, gone was the animosity of superior belief. We all stood as equals before God, and acknowledged ourselves as made in the image of God.
I ask that you keep this community in your prayers as we long for a continuation of this revival. God is doing great things here, and throughout the world.
Dear Lord, keep the fire of revival lit in your world, and help us to fan the flames so that truly the world will know that thou art God. Amen
Thursday, December 27, 2007
tested
Hebrews 2:18
" Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."
Look into any other religion of the world, and you will not find a God who has gone as far as ours has. God came to earth as a little baby in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. He grew with us, suffered the bodily ailments that come with living. He went hungry and thirsted, and he felt compassion for his children.
The God I serve is one who knows the trials and tests I am going through, because he traveled the same road. As the writer of Hebrew tells us, he is able to help us who are being tested.
We start a new year next week. There will be many tests in the months ahead, but be assured, God is there to go through the tests with you, if you but ask.
Help is right where you are.
Amen
" Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."
Look into any other religion of the world, and you will not find a God who has gone as far as ours has. God came to earth as a little baby in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. He grew with us, suffered the bodily ailments that come with living. He went hungry and thirsted, and he felt compassion for his children.
The God I serve is one who knows the trials and tests I am going through, because he traveled the same road. As the writer of Hebrew tells us, he is able to help us who are being tested.
We start a new year next week. There will be many tests in the months ahead, but be assured, God is there to go through the tests with you, if you but ask.
Help is right where you are.
Amen
Friday, December 7, 2007
Stones:
Matthew 3:9 "Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God if able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham' (NRSV)
Many times we look at church as our redemption, or to our parents who go to church as our redemption. It is amazing that when I ask if someone knows Jesus Christ personally and have been saved the answer I get is "Well, I go to church." That isn't what I asked.
Just going to church is not enough to escape the wrath to come, we must have a relationship with Jesus, and the only way to do that is to believe the Jesus is the risen Savior and he will wash away your sins if you ask.
I realize this is a secular blog place but for many of you who may read this in passing, seriously consider where you will spend eternity. God desires your presence at his table, not in the pit. It isn't enough to be good, or go to church, you must believe. In this season of advent, look forward to the kingdom that is coming and believe.
God's love to you all
Pastor Kent
Many times we look at church as our redemption, or to our parents who go to church as our redemption. It is amazing that when I ask if someone knows Jesus Christ personally and have been saved the answer I get is "Well, I go to church." That isn't what I asked.
Just going to church is not enough to escape the wrath to come, we must have a relationship with Jesus, and the only way to do that is to believe the Jesus is the risen Savior and he will wash away your sins if you ask.
I realize this is a secular blog place but for many of you who may read this in passing, seriously consider where you will spend eternity. God desires your presence at his table, not in the pit. It isn't enough to be good, or go to church, you must believe. In this season of advent, look forward to the kingdom that is coming and believe.
God's love to you all
Pastor Kent
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)