Ever hear of Simeon? He makes a brief appearance in the second chapter of Luke's gospel. He has the privilege of being the first recorded person outside the family of Jesus to "handle the Word of Life" (1 John 1:1).
Luke 2:28 (KJV) - "Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God."
Simeon took up who John refers to in his first epistle as "the Word of Life", and blessed God.
We still do that today, but I don't think too many actually realize that.
I thinks believers often fail to make the connection between the "Word", when referring to the Scriptures, and "The Word" when referring to Jesus. I worry sometimes that people think they are two different entities.
They are not. They are one and the same.
Jesus is THE WORD.
John 1:1 (KJV) - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Jesus is the Word, and the Word is God. He is "Logos". He is God. He is Creator of all that has ever been created (vs. 3).
I suppose if we get less spiritual and more philosophical it could all get bogged down in "gnosis" rather than "pneuma" (knowledge versus Spirit).
The Holy Spirit plays a huge role in understanding this as much as He did in revealing to Simeon who the infant Jesus was.
I take up The Word and bless God each day every bit as much as Simeon did. I hope you do also.
I am not simply referring to a leather bound book anymore than the child Simeon took up in his arms was just merely flesh and blood.
I am speaking of the supernatural power of the Word as it transposes from paper and ink into Christ upon our lips and in our hearts.
Are you following me?
If there is any power in the Word at all it is because it is Jesus! The activation of Christ in our lives occurs when we recognize and endeavor to live by it and allow Him to change our lives. The spoken Word is spiritual life going forth in Christ as surely as when He was here in the flesh. His presence and very purpose is alive as the Word and is responsible for the quickening of the hearts of man to turn toward Him.
If this is not true than we are merely preaching and teaching "about" Jesus. If the Word is not alive as Christ today than we have reduced Him to nothing but a historical character from a long ago time.
Do you think that might be the problem in the Church today? That preachers, teachers, and the general rank and file have missed the fact that Jesus is alive to us in the here and now as the Logos, the Word of God?
I think so. People need to understand that they are receiving Jesus, that they are "handling" Jesus every bit as much as Simeon did!
When we invoke the Presence of Jesus Christ in our church and home, and when the Word goes forth, we must believe that His living Spirit is as active and real as if He is standing before us!
Roll that around in your brain for a bit and pray it makes it to your spirit, because if it does it will radically change your life!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
"Don't Even Think About It!", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
Ever say that to somebody? "Don't even think about it!" It's a modern day admonition to head off at the pass something that you anticipate someone trying to inflict upon you.
"Hey dad, Jimmy's mom let him paint his bedroom purple and I was wondering...". This could be a spot for a "Don't even think about it!"
Or it could be used in a more serious situation.
Romans 6:12 - "Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions."
Paul is giving us his version of "Don't even think about it!", as he strongly urges us to avoid sin.
Don't consider it. Don't yield to it. Reckon yourself dead to it. Refuse to allow it. Stay away. Keep it out. Don't entertain it.
I always find myself scratching my head as I find more and more Christians in the world making excuses for sin rather than obeying the clear teaching to avoid it like plague.
Somewhere over the centuries teachings about sin being unavoidable and inevitable have replaced the clear teaching of Paul in the Word.
When did "Let not", "Consider yourself dead to sin", and "Don't continue to allow", turn into "You have to", You can't help it", and "You must every day"?
Well, I do know when, but that's not important right now.
What's important is that sound biblical teaching proceed.
Paul says that when we become born-again, the power of sin is broken in our life. We are now to live in unbroken fellowship with Christ.
Listen to me here very carefully. While I realize that sin is forever lurking at the doorstep, we must realize that we are not bound to obey it.
The relationship we once had with sin is broken when we begin our new relationship with Jesus.
Why is that such a difficult concept? Most of us who are married have had other relationships before we met our spouses. We had to break off and forget any such previous relationships before we solidified our present ones, did we not?
The problem, I believe, is with a religious spirit. Many people cannot see Jesus as a relationship, and sin as the home wrecking former love interest.
We used to be in love with sin. Now we are in love with Jesus. Paul says we must consider ourselves dead to the old flame which was sin, and alive now to the new relationship with Jesus.
The two are as incompatible to each other as any former flings and your new spouse.
Picture this: "Honey, guess who I just ran into at the grocery store? We haven't seen each other for years, so I thought I'd bring him/her home for dinner!" Do you think that is going to fly?
Picture this: "Lord, I got to thinking about some stuff I used to do before I met you, and realized how much I miss it, so I'm going to be spending some time in it from time to time." Do you REALLY think that is going to fly?
The biggest lie from hell is that we have no control over our actions and that Jesus somehow just winks at it.
The fact is that you do have control as a new creation in Christ. If the new nature you have received in Him cannot conquer the issues of your old nature, then you really don't have a new nature at all, do you?
This is the reason why Paul said we must have a renewal of our mind after we become born-again (Romans 12:2). God has done His part in us by creating a new spiritual being through Jesus Christ. Our response to that is to live according to the Word (Jesus), to be doer's of its instruction. We are no longer to conform to previous sinful patterns of living.
Romans 6:14 - "For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy]."
Get this deep down in your spirit this morning. Grace does NOT override free will. Grace is there to lead us and to restore us if we fail, but Grace never gives us an excuse to fail.
Jesus says in Revelation 3:20 - "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
Dining (having relationship) with Jesus is one on one and personal. Don't invite SIN to the table.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
"Hey dad, Jimmy's mom let him paint his bedroom purple and I was wondering...". This could be a spot for a "Don't even think about it!"
Or it could be used in a more serious situation.
Romans 6:12 - "Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions."
Paul is giving us his version of "Don't even think about it!", as he strongly urges us to avoid sin.
Don't consider it. Don't yield to it. Reckon yourself dead to it. Refuse to allow it. Stay away. Keep it out. Don't entertain it.
I always find myself scratching my head as I find more and more Christians in the world making excuses for sin rather than obeying the clear teaching to avoid it like plague.
Somewhere over the centuries teachings about sin being unavoidable and inevitable have replaced the clear teaching of Paul in the Word.
When did "Let not", "Consider yourself dead to sin", and "Don't continue to allow", turn into "You have to", You can't help it", and "You must every day"?
Well, I do know when, but that's not important right now.
What's important is that sound biblical teaching proceed.
Paul says that when we become born-again, the power of sin is broken in our life. We are now to live in unbroken fellowship with Christ.
Listen to me here very carefully. While I realize that sin is forever lurking at the doorstep, we must realize that we are not bound to obey it.
The relationship we once had with sin is broken when we begin our new relationship with Jesus.
Why is that such a difficult concept? Most of us who are married have had other relationships before we met our spouses. We had to break off and forget any such previous relationships before we solidified our present ones, did we not?
The problem, I believe, is with a religious spirit. Many people cannot see Jesus as a relationship, and sin as the home wrecking former love interest.
We used to be in love with sin. Now we are in love with Jesus. Paul says we must consider ourselves dead to the old flame which was sin, and alive now to the new relationship with Jesus.
The two are as incompatible to each other as any former flings and your new spouse.
Picture this: "Honey, guess who I just ran into at the grocery store? We haven't seen each other for years, so I thought I'd bring him/her home for dinner!" Do you think that is going to fly?
Picture this: "Lord, I got to thinking about some stuff I used to do before I met you, and realized how much I miss it, so I'm going to be spending some time in it from time to time." Do you REALLY think that is going to fly?
The biggest lie from hell is that we have no control over our actions and that Jesus somehow just winks at it.
The fact is that you do have control as a new creation in Christ. If the new nature you have received in Him cannot conquer the issues of your old nature, then you really don't have a new nature at all, do you?
This is the reason why Paul said we must have a renewal of our mind after we become born-again (Romans 12:2). God has done His part in us by creating a new spiritual being through Jesus Christ. Our response to that is to live according to the Word (Jesus), to be doer's of its instruction. We are no longer to conform to previous sinful patterns of living.
Romans 6:14 - "For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy]."
Get this deep down in your spirit this morning. Grace does NOT override free will. Grace is there to lead us and to restore us if we fail, but Grace never gives us an excuse to fail.
Jesus says in Revelation 3:20 - "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
Dining (having relationship) with Jesus is one on one and personal. Don't invite SIN to the table.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Friday, August 27, 2010
"Honest Or Treacherous?", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
"Officials at the federal courthouse in Washington say that seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens will be arraigned Monday afternoon on criminal charges."
I am a big fan of Roger Clemens accomplishments. He was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, and I was glad he pitched with the Yankees the years he did. They were exciting times which gave me great joy as a Yankee fan.
Clemens today? Charged with lying to Congress under oath about his alleged steroid use.
I don't know whether he did or he didn't, but if he did and he continues to lie about it, he's in for a world of hurt. Just ask Peter Rose.
Pete's been banned from even showing up at a ballpark for the last 21 years. And that just for being a gambler.
The wisdom of the Word of God speaks to the heart of the issue.
Proverbs 11:3 - "Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people."
Note the great chasm between the two words. Honest and treacherous. Poles apart.
I have preached it many times. You cannot be honest and dishonest at the same time. If so the verse would read "dishonesty destroys honest people."
It almost seems like it could be said that way. But it can't. Honest people do not have to worry about such charges. In order to fit the charge of being treacherous one first has to leave their honesty in the past and enter into the world of dishonesty.
It's exactly how God judges sin. Sin and salvation is incompatible.
This is an area the believer must iron out in their life. There is no room for dishonesty.
It is ironic indeed when one understands that Clemens best friend, Andy Pettitte (also a Yankee pitcher), when asked if he knew anything about Clemens taking steroids, refused to lie and admitted that he did. Pettitte was also accused himself of taking HGH and readily admitted it.
Andy Pettitte is still pitching for the New York Yankees today having not missed a step in his career and enjoying being one of the most revered and well loved players in Yankee history. Pettitte is also a committed born-again Christian.
Clemens is out of baseball and is fast becoming one of the most disliked and reviled players ever, and already is being mentioned as fast becoming blackballed from Baseball Hall of Fame eligibility.
Why is honesty still the best policy? Because it's God's policy.
Dishonest people do not only offend society. Dishonest (sinful) people offend God.
Face it folks. You want God on your side.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
I am a big fan of Roger Clemens accomplishments. He was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, and I was glad he pitched with the Yankees the years he did. They were exciting times which gave me great joy as a Yankee fan.
Clemens today? Charged with lying to Congress under oath about his alleged steroid use.
I don't know whether he did or he didn't, but if he did and he continues to lie about it, he's in for a world of hurt. Just ask Peter Rose.
Pete's been banned from even showing up at a ballpark for the last 21 years. And that just for being a gambler.
The wisdom of the Word of God speaks to the heart of the issue.
Proverbs 11:3 - "Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people."
Note the great chasm between the two words. Honest and treacherous. Poles apart.
I have preached it many times. You cannot be honest and dishonest at the same time. If so the verse would read "dishonesty destroys honest people."
It almost seems like it could be said that way. But it can't. Honest people do not have to worry about such charges. In order to fit the charge of being treacherous one first has to leave their honesty in the past and enter into the world of dishonesty.
It's exactly how God judges sin. Sin and salvation is incompatible.
This is an area the believer must iron out in their life. There is no room for dishonesty.
It is ironic indeed when one understands that Clemens best friend, Andy Pettitte (also a Yankee pitcher), when asked if he knew anything about Clemens taking steroids, refused to lie and admitted that he did. Pettitte was also accused himself of taking HGH and readily admitted it.
Andy Pettitte is still pitching for the New York Yankees today having not missed a step in his career and enjoying being one of the most revered and well loved players in Yankee history. Pettitte is also a committed born-again Christian.
Clemens is out of baseball and is fast becoming one of the most disliked and reviled players ever, and already is being mentioned as fast becoming blackballed from Baseball Hall of Fame eligibility.
Why is honesty still the best policy? Because it's God's policy.
Dishonest people do not only offend society. Dishonest (sinful) people offend God.
Face it folks. You want God on your side.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Thursday, August 26, 2010
"When You Need Greater Peace (Reprise)", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
There's peace, calm, serenity, and the general sense of well being that we all need and crave.
And then there comes a time when we need something bigger. Larger. Greater.
We need a great peace.
I sense that today.
I sense it in what I see going on around me.
I sense it in myself.
Something bigger than just "less stress" needs to prevail.
Philippians 4:6-7 (Amplified Bible)
"(6) Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (7) And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Yeah, that's it.
That tranquil state of the soul.
A complete absence of fear (Faith, calm, peace, displaces fear).
Contentment in the midst of attack (big medicine there).
I need a "garrison of guards" surrounding my mind and heart (acknowledge the angels dispatched to you).
I need Jesus (Come to Me if you are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest).
You know the feeling. It sometimes come with disturbing news overload.
When corroboration comes in the form of others saying "What's going on?"
An offensive mounted by enemy forces aimed at believers.
That's when the need for GREAT peace comes in.
I'm already feeling it. I have to let it wash over me, and start sending it out to others.
Paul says "God's peace shall be yours".
I want you to receive that today.
God's peace is yours today.
If you're in that place today where the scale is tilted a bit toward the downside, heavy laden with cares and woes, take joy and comfort that God's great peace is yours.
Be blessed. I am in it with you.
Jesus is in it with us together.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
And then there comes a time when we need something bigger. Larger. Greater.
We need a great peace.
I sense that today.
I sense it in what I see going on around me.
I sense it in myself.
Something bigger than just "less stress" needs to prevail.
Philippians 4:6-7 (Amplified Bible)
"(6) Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (7) And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Yeah, that's it.
That tranquil state of the soul.
A complete absence of fear (Faith, calm, peace, displaces fear).
Contentment in the midst of attack (big medicine there).
I need a "garrison of guards" surrounding my mind and heart (acknowledge the angels dispatched to you).
I need Jesus (Come to Me if you are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest).
You know the feeling. It sometimes come with disturbing news overload.
When corroboration comes in the form of others saying "What's going on?"
An offensive mounted by enemy forces aimed at believers.
That's when the need for GREAT peace comes in.
I'm already feeling it. I have to let it wash over me, and start sending it out to others.
Paul says "God's peace shall be yours".
I want you to receive that today.
God's peace is yours today.
If you're in that place today where the scale is tilted a bit toward the downside, heavy laden with cares and woes, take joy and comfort that God's great peace is yours.
Be blessed. I am in it with you.
Jesus is in it with us together.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
"Can I Really Do ALL Things In Christ?", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Sounds great doesn't it? For me, who really takes the bible literally wherever it is possible, I have essentially lived the last 25 years according to this truth. In my heart of hearts ALL means ALL...
...at least as far as I am ever going to do ALL. And I am OK with that because I think that is what the actual meaning of the passage intends.
Let's keep the dignity within the truth. Let's not digress into ridiculous notions. However, let us not decrease the power and ability of the Word either. Yes, it is sometimes a fine line we walk when discerning the Word and trying to live by it. This is why it takes diligence in study, and not just pulling out of the air what the preacher says on Sunday.
Look at the passage:
Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible) - "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."
A healthy young disciple of Jesus Christ who is in top physical condition, well educated in science and physics, and dedicated and driven to achieve his goal of becoming an astronaut, can reasonably expect to accomplish that according to the promise of the Word.
An older and much less physically fit disciple of Jesus Christ, who no longer could physically and mentally stand up to the rigors of training would not. Yup...that's me.
See what I'm getting at?
We sometimes place the tension of the verse on what is not intended. We shouldn't be focusing so much on what ALL means as far as setting ridiculous goals and formulating crazy notions. But rather, we should be concentrating on handling whatever comes before us through the strength of Christ within us.
This is not so much about attaining some impossible dream we wish for, than it is about just simply dealing with what we already have.
Jesus is not the genie in the lamp.
This about the personal empowerment of the believer who is having to bear the weight of daily living. It's about moving through this life with joy, peace, and contentment in the midst of our personal experience.
What are the "ALL things" you will need to have strength for?
Loss of loved ones. Stunningly bad medical reports. Bodies racked with pain. Financial setbacks. Marital and family difficulties. Loss of a job.
In my opinion, I have come to view this verse less about what I can achieve, and more of what I can maintain through Christ.
What I can "do" is live my life, and I can do that the best through the sufficiency I have in Jesus Christ.
The "ALL Things" is life and living. We can live the best, accomplishing the things we set out to do in this short life, by holding fast to Jesus and allowing Him to be our strength.
Yes! You CAN overcome those financial problems when He is your strength! You CAN overcome sickness and gain victory over the torture of your flesh! You CAN be successful at what you do!
You must have the faith that says "I am ready for anything that comes my way because I have the infused power of Christ in me which will never fail!"
You can because He can!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Sounds great doesn't it? For me, who really takes the bible literally wherever it is possible, I have essentially lived the last 25 years according to this truth. In my heart of hearts ALL means ALL...
...at least as far as I am ever going to do ALL. And I am OK with that because I think that is what the actual meaning of the passage intends.
Let's keep the dignity within the truth. Let's not digress into ridiculous notions. However, let us not decrease the power and ability of the Word either. Yes, it is sometimes a fine line we walk when discerning the Word and trying to live by it. This is why it takes diligence in study, and not just pulling out of the air what the preacher says on Sunday.
Look at the passage:
Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible) - "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."
A healthy young disciple of Jesus Christ who is in top physical condition, well educated in science and physics, and dedicated and driven to achieve his goal of becoming an astronaut, can reasonably expect to accomplish that according to the promise of the Word.
An older and much less physically fit disciple of Jesus Christ, who no longer could physically and mentally stand up to the rigors of training would not. Yup...that's me.
See what I'm getting at?
We sometimes place the tension of the verse on what is not intended. We shouldn't be focusing so much on what ALL means as far as setting ridiculous goals and formulating crazy notions. But rather, we should be concentrating on handling whatever comes before us through the strength of Christ within us.
This is not so much about attaining some impossible dream we wish for, than it is about just simply dealing with what we already have.
Jesus is not the genie in the lamp.
This about the personal empowerment of the believer who is having to bear the weight of daily living. It's about moving through this life with joy, peace, and contentment in the midst of our personal experience.
What are the "ALL things" you will need to have strength for?
Loss of loved ones. Stunningly bad medical reports. Bodies racked with pain. Financial setbacks. Marital and family difficulties. Loss of a job.
In my opinion, I have come to view this verse less about what I can achieve, and more of what I can maintain through Christ.
What I can "do" is live my life, and I can do that the best through the sufficiency I have in Jesus Christ.
The "ALL Things" is life and living. We can live the best, accomplishing the things we set out to do in this short life, by holding fast to Jesus and allowing Him to be our strength.
Yes! You CAN overcome those financial problems when He is your strength! You CAN overcome sickness and gain victory over the torture of your flesh! You CAN be successful at what you do!
You must have the faith that says "I am ready for anything that comes my way because I have the infused power of Christ in me which will never fail!"
You can because He can!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
"There Is Only One", by Pastor Kevin
There is only One God. There is only One Way to get to God.
His Name is El-Shaddai, Jehovah, God Almighty. The Way is Jesus Christ (John 14:16). The Deliverer is the Holy Spirit.
One God. Three distinct Personalities.
Never forget this. Never even entertain other possibilities.
There are none.
Jude knew it
Jude 1:25 - "To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it)."
God has always been, is so at this very moment, and will be eternally.
Jesus is the Incarnation of God in the flesh. He has been crucified for our sins, died upon that Cross, and has been Resurrected for our eternal life.
Jesus and the Father are now side by side in the glory of Heaven preparing for Jesus to return to gather His Church.
All false gods are either mythological or dead. Jesus is the only One Who Lives.
Who do you serve today?
Krishna? Buddha? Mohammed? Confucius?
All illegitimate. All very dead.
So, serve nothing or something. Serve a dead fraud or a Living Savior.
I choose Jesus. He has never let me down.
Jesus NEVER fails.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
His Name is El-Shaddai, Jehovah, God Almighty. The Way is Jesus Christ (John 14:16). The Deliverer is the Holy Spirit.
One God. Three distinct Personalities.
Never forget this. Never even entertain other possibilities.
There are none.
Jude knew it
Jude 1:25 - "To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it)."
God has always been, is so at this very moment, and will be eternally.
Jesus is the Incarnation of God in the flesh. He has been crucified for our sins, died upon that Cross, and has been Resurrected for our eternal life.
Jesus and the Father are now side by side in the glory of Heaven preparing for Jesus to return to gather His Church.
All false gods are either mythological or dead. Jesus is the only One Who Lives.
Who do you serve today?
Krishna? Buddha? Mohammed? Confucius?
All illegitimate. All very dead.
So, serve nothing or something. Serve a dead fraud or a Living Savior.
I choose Jesus. He has never let me down.
Jesus NEVER fails.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Monday, August 23, 2010
"Have The Moths Devoured Your Treasure?", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
Dieting is like boot camp. Discipline and results through repetition. Ever eat those packaged WW's meals, or Lean Cusiines? They taste pretty good... for awhile. After a week or so you are reduced to an Israelite in the desert complaining about the manna God keeps sending.
Yes, there were years of complaining from the Israelites as they walked in circles for 40 years. God even sent them quail and they still complained. Have you priced out quail in a fancy restaurant lately? It's a treat for the price, but if you had to eat it everyday you'd get sick of it.
John 6:31(Amplified Bible) - "Our forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as the Scripture says, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat."
They had every need met in the desert. BUT...they WANTED more.
It's easy to point the finger at them and get all self righteous over their audacity.
*Caution Honesty Check Ahead*
Don't fool yourself. You've done your fair share of whining and complaining.
Considering that it's no longer manna or quail, but Jesus Christ, which of us has the least leg to stand on?
(35) "Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)."
This verse speaks of the potential satiated hunger and thirst of the believer. It's only potential due to our part of accepting or rejecting it.
If we are feeding so sumptuously off of Jesus (alluding to the fact that we believers are continually being fed) then why are we always looking past what we have for more (insert head scratch here)?
Let me make it more plain. If Jesus said we will neither hunger nor thirst anymore, why are so many in a perpetual state of hunger and thirstiness?
He is saying He is our Provider for everything we need and that we will never lack.
In spite of that, people will sometimes THINK that they lack.
There is a difference between wanting and needing. One can have all of their needs met and still WANT more.
Sometimes the want will supplant the need and create more need. In other words, don't spend the mortgage money on fancy new clothes and expect Jesus to foot the bill.
This is the secret of successful Christian living. Learning to be satisfied with the Bread of Heaven. If your heart isn't in Jesus, then your perceived treasure will be found in something less satisfying.
Matthew 6:19-21 (Amplified Bible) - "(19) Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. (20) But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Do you think this doesn't happen today? Ask some of the Wall Street fat cats who greedily accumulated great wealth while never giving a dime to the poor or to the Church. Perhaps even some of you have deteriorated 401K's and pensions that you were relying upon for an easy retirement. Maybe you had more of your eye on your portfolio than you did on Jesus?
Where is that "treasure" today? The "moths" ate it.
I didn't lose anything. Why? Because my investment is in the Kingdom of Heaven. My needs are met and my wants are aligned with what He wants for me with. I'm not bragging, just establishing the fact that it is possible to live as God wants us to. I lost no treasure because my Treasure is Jesus and eternal life.
Successful living is living in Christ.
Don't trust your "gut". Trust Jesus.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Yes, there were years of complaining from the Israelites as they walked in circles for 40 years. God even sent them quail and they still complained. Have you priced out quail in a fancy restaurant lately? It's a treat for the price, but if you had to eat it everyday you'd get sick of it.
John 6:31(Amplified Bible) - "Our forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as the Scripture says, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat."
They had every need met in the desert. BUT...they WANTED more.
It's easy to point the finger at them and get all self righteous over their audacity.
*Caution Honesty Check Ahead*
Don't fool yourself. You've done your fair share of whining and complaining.
Considering that it's no longer manna or quail, but Jesus Christ, which of us has the least leg to stand on?
(35) "Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)."
This verse speaks of the potential satiated hunger and thirst of the believer. It's only potential due to our part of accepting or rejecting it.
If we are feeding so sumptuously off of Jesus (alluding to the fact that we believers are continually being fed) then why are we always looking past what we have for more (insert head scratch here)?
Let me make it more plain. If Jesus said we will neither hunger nor thirst anymore, why are so many in a perpetual state of hunger and thirstiness?
He is saying He is our Provider for everything we need and that we will never lack.
In spite of that, people will sometimes THINK that they lack.
There is a difference between wanting and needing. One can have all of their needs met and still WANT more.
Sometimes the want will supplant the need and create more need. In other words, don't spend the mortgage money on fancy new clothes and expect Jesus to foot the bill.
This is the secret of successful Christian living. Learning to be satisfied with the Bread of Heaven. If your heart isn't in Jesus, then your perceived treasure will be found in something less satisfying.
Matthew 6:19-21 (Amplified Bible) - "(19) Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. (20) But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Do you think this doesn't happen today? Ask some of the Wall Street fat cats who greedily accumulated great wealth while never giving a dime to the poor or to the Church. Perhaps even some of you have deteriorated 401K's and pensions that you were relying upon for an easy retirement. Maybe you had more of your eye on your portfolio than you did on Jesus?
Where is that "treasure" today? The "moths" ate it.
I didn't lose anything. Why? Because my investment is in the Kingdom of Heaven. My needs are met and my wants are aligned with what He wants for me with. I'm not bragging, just establishing the fact that it is possible to live as God wants us to. I lost no treasure because my Treasure is Jesus and eternal life.
Successful living is living in Christ.
Don't trust your "gut". Trust Jesus.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Saturday, August 21, 2010
"For Men Only (OK, The Women Can Peek)", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
I think most preacher's stay far away from the passage I will share today.
I don't usually write a devotional on Saturday, but I really felt God speak to me on this today.
Men, the condition of the Church, the Body of Christ, is out of sorts and out of wack.
And it's YOUR fault.
That's right...IT'S YOUR FAULT!!! I didn't stutter.
It's your fault IF you are not living according to the handed down Holy Word of God.
If you are in harmony with Christ and your home and family today, then I applaud you.
If not, then I must warn you. You are in grave error and in default of God's plan for you, your family, and the Church.
That's a heavy weight of conviction to bear my friend. I STRONGLY advise you to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! It does not come without penalty.
I mentioned the women could "peek". That's because the men who probably need to read this won't. They are generally consumed with themselves, their extracurricular activities, or even their jobs. Or they are being pushed out of their intended role by overbearing wives, girlfriends, and even mothers.
Heed the Word of God a moment (you too women):
Ephesians 5:22-33 (Amplified Bible) - (22) Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. (23) For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. (24) As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. (25) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, (26) So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, (27) That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. (28) Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. (29) For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, (30) Because we are members (parts) of His body. (31) For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. (32) This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. (33) However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].
It might seem harsh that I lay the blame at the feet of the man. Well, that's because that is where Christ has laid the bulk of the responsibility. The man is to be to his family the head as Christ is the Head over the Church.
The women (who get it dumped on them) have been taking up that slack for a long time, and thank God for it, but it's still NOT the ordained will of God! It might work, but it's not working as it should.
While some men are guilty of not manning up, some women are guilty of not letting them! In that case it is still the man's fault for getting it backwards and being subservient to the will of the women!
God has called you to be sanctified NOT sissified!
If you read the passage carefully, no one is supposed to be lording anything over anyone. In the marriage each is subject to each other in love.
There are no "bosses" in a marriage, but there is "headship". And that headship belongs to Christ working through the man/husband. This way, and only this way, is the way the man or husband is the "head" of his family.
He is the Christ appointed head as Jesus Himself is the Head of His Church, and the way Jesus serves His Church is through LOVE, and that is how man should serve his family. LOVE.
I almost said "sorry". I'm not sorry. It needed to be said. I see too many fractured families where the man has either neglected his role completely, turned it over to his wife, or had his wife take it from him.
When that happens everything, and I mean everything, falls apart from the intended purpose of God.
From the home, to the Church, to the Kingdom Glory, this is the WAY that God has ordained it! You can shoot this messenger if you'd like, but you know deep down I'm right and that a good long conversation with God is long overdue!
Hey, I'm just...
...Keepin' it Real!
Pastor Kevin <><
I don't usually write a devotional on Saturday, but I really felt God speak to me on this today.
Men, the condition of the Church, the Body of Christ, is out of sorts and out of wack.
And it's YOUR fault.
That's right...IT'S YOUR FAULT!!! I didn't stutter.
It's your fault IF you are not living according to the handed down Holy Word of God.
If you are in harmony with Christ and your home and family today, then I applaud you.
If not, then I must warn you. You are in grave error and in default of God's plan for you, your family, and the Church.
That's a heavy weight of conviction to bear my friend. I STRONGLY advise you to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! It does not come without penalty.
I mentioned the women could "peek". That's because the men who probably need to read this won't. They are generally consumed with themselves, their extracurricular activities, or even their jobs. Or they are being pushed out of their intended role by overbearing wives, girlfriends, and even mothers.
Heed the Word of God a moment (you too women):
Ephesians 5:22-33 (Amplified Bible) - (22) Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. (23) For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. (24) As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. (25) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, (26) So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, (27) That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. (28) Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. (29) For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, (30) Because we are members (parts) of His body. (31) For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. (32) This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. (33) However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].
It might seem harsh that I lay the blame at the feet of the man. Well, that's because that is where Christ has laid the bulk of the responsibility. The man is to be to his family the head as Christ is the Head over the Church.
The women (who get it dumped on them) have been taking up that slack for a long time, and thank God for it, but it's still NOT the ordained will of God! It might work, but it's not working as it should.
While some men are guilty of not manning up, some women are guilty of not letting them! In that case it is still the man's fault for getting it backwards and being subservient to the will of the women!
God has called you to be sanctified NOT sissified!
If you read the passage carefully, no one is supposed to be lording anything over anyone. In the marriage each is subject to each other in love.
There are no "bosses" in a marriage, but there is "headship". And that headship belongs to Christ working through the man/husband. This way, and only this way, is the way the man or husband is the "head" of his family.
He is the Christ appointed head as Jesus Himself is the Head of His Church, and the way Jesus serves His Church is through LOVE, and that is how man should serve his family. LOVE.
I almost said "sorry". I'm not sorry. It needed to be said. I see too many fractured families where the man has either neglected his role completely, turned it over to his wife, or had his wife take it from him.
When that happens everything, and I mean everything, falls apart from the intended purpose of God.
From the home, to the Church, to the Kingdom Glory, this is the WAY that God has ordained it! You can shoot this messenger if you'd like, but you know deep down I'm right and that a good long conversation with God is long overdue!
Hey, I'm just...
...Keepin' it Real!
Pastor Kevin <><
Friday, August 20, 2010
"Comfort Food", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
Some foods are said to be "comfort food". I have heard meat loaf described as being such a food. Also, macaroni and cheese.
I suppose for me it would be pizza. Or perhaps Chinese delivery. Yes, definitely Chinese. That could be dangerous. Finding yourself in a position where you feel you need to be "comforted" by food, and your favorite being just a phone call away...well...one could hurt themselves...lol!
I'm not sure if "comfort" is the best way to describe any relief that comes from food. Maybe "feel good" food. Or "satisfying".
But are we really being "comforted"?
Probably not. At least not at any deep and lasting level.
In fact, nothing measures up to that task.
Except one.
Jesus describes it.
John 14:16 (AMP) - "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever."
Jesus knows about these things. He is a Comforter Himself. He was while He walked the earth up until He had to leave and take His place at the right hand of God in Heaven.
This is why He said He would ask God to send "another" Comforter back to us.
This is real comfort. Not a fleeting and momentary respite from a bad day or trying experience. Not a Haagen-Daz pigout that will produce more guilt later than any comfort it provided presently.
Not temporary pill or liquor bottle comfort. Not a funny looking ciggy, or a quick snort of a magic powder.
Not a quick fling with the office secretary, or an out of control night out with the girls.
I'm talking real comfort here. Comfort that lasts. Comfort that heals. Comfort that strengthens, intercedes, and is ALWAYS at the standby.
Comfort that Jesus says will last for all the days we will ever spend upon this earth.
Forever Comfort.
I said, "Forever Comfort".
Could you use some of that today?
He's there. The Holy Spirit. He's within. Listen to His Voice. He doestn't merely have the solution...
...He is the solution.
Let Him do His work and stop confounding it with artificial means which keep leading to failure.
The Holy Spirit is your Comfort today and everyday.
Give Him a chance to do what He is waiting to do.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
I suppose for me it would be pizza. Or perhaps Chinese delivery. Yes, definitely Chinese. That could be dangerous. Finding yourself in a position where you feel you need to be "comforted" by food, and your favorite being just a phone call away...well...one could hurt themselves...lol!
I'm not sure if "comfort" is the best way to describe any relief that comes from food. Maybe "feel good" food. Or "satisfying".
But are we really being "comforted"?
Probably not. At least not at any deep and lasting level.
In fact, nothing measures up to that task.
Except one.
Jesus describes it.
John 14:16 (AMP) - "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever."
Jesus knows about these things. He is a Comforter Himself. He was while He walked the earth up until He had to leave and take His place at the right hand of God in Heaven.
This is why He said He would ask God to send "another" Comforter back to us.
This is real comfort. Not a fleeting and momentary respite from a bad day or trying experience. Not a Haagen-Daz pigout that will produce more guilt later than any comfort it provided presently.
Not temporary pill or liquor bottle comfort. Not a funny looking ciggy, or a quick snort of a magic powder.
Not a quick fling with the office secretary, or an out of control night out with the girls.
I'm talking real comfort here. Comfort that lasts. Comfort that heals. Comfort that strengthens, intercedes, and is ALWAYS at the standby.
Comfort that Jesus says will last for all the days we will ever spend upon this earth.
Forever Comfort.
I said, "Forever Comfort".
Could you use some of that today?
He's there. The Holy Spirit. He's within. Listen to His Voice. He doestn't merely have the solution...
...He is the solution.
Let Him do His work and stop confounding it with artificial means which keep leading to failure.
The Holy Spirit is your Comfort today and everyday.
Give Him a chance to do what He is waiting to do.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Thursday, August 19, 2010
"How Much Are You Really Worth?", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
How much do you think you are worth? I'm speaking strictly in terms of the composition of the human body including the skin. Considering we are mostly H2O, with some other chemical elements like magnesium, calcium, iron, etc. thrown in, we can arrive at a ballpark figure on the open market (not as a cadaver for medical university studies).
So, how much? $10,000? $1,000? $500?
How about $4.50? That's right. Four dollars and fifty cents.
I hope I haven't deflated any egos.
Would it re-inflate you if I told you a good cadaver (you dead) is worth about $8,000? For many people on this planet that would constitute being worth more dead than alive.
Well, all of that is just a flat rate for sale like good horse flesh. One really can't put a price upon personality, wisdom, love, kindness, benevolence, and all the things that make up who a person is over the course of their life. A life well lived is priceless, while a scoundrel isn't worth a plugged nickel.
Right?
Well, not according to God. God has loved all of His creation, regardless of how they turned out.
Jesus died for them all without favoritism. In fact, it could be said that He died for us when we were at our worst (Romans 5:8).
In the framework of the Cross and His sacrifice, Jesus "bought and paid" for us. The cost was His blood and His very life.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (Amplified Bible) - "(19) Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, (20) You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."
"You are not your own."
I hope some folks wake up to that reality today. Whether you serve Him or reject Him, He has bought and paid for you.
This is why honoring and receiving Christ is the all important decision of a persons life.
He has the power to nurture and cultivate us into worthy sons and daughters. Or...He has the power to dispose of us.
John 15:5-6 (AMP) - (5) I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. (6) If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned."
Sorry if that bums you out today, but it will only bum you out if you are living in rejection of the Savior of the World.
If you have accepted and received Him then you are bearing abundant fruit and are at peace with it all.
Know this today. There is no price tag. You are worth EVERYTHING to God. He has given His only Son to purchase your very soul and spirit.
He wants you with Him. He longs for your acceptance. He wants to be your Father.
I wrote something the other day which said that Jesus thinks that I am "to die for."
He thinks that about you too.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
So, how much? $10,000? $1,000? $500?
How about $4.50? That's right. Four dollars and fifty cents.
I hope I haven't deflated any egos.
Would it re-inflate you if I told you a good cadaver (you dead) is worth about $8,000? For many people on this planet that would constitute being worth more dead than alive.
Well, all of that is just a flat rate for sale like good horse flesh. One really can't put a price upon personality, wisdom, love, kindness, benevolence, and all the things that make up who a person is over the course of their life. A life well lived is priceless, while a scoundrel isn't worth a plugged nickel.
Right?
Well, not according to God. God has loved all of His creation, regardless of how they turned out.
Jesus died for them all without favoritism. In fact, it could be said that He died for us when we were at our worst (Romans 5:8).
In the framework of the Cross and His sacrifice, Jesus "bought and paid" for us. The cost was His blood and His very life.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (Amplified Bible) - "(19) Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, (20) You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."
"You are not your own."
I hope some folks wake up to that reality today. Whether you serve Him or reject Him, He has bought and paid for you.
This is why honoring and receiving Christ is the all important decision of a persons life.
He has the power to nurture and cultivate us into worthy sons and daughters. Or...He has the power to dispose of us.
John 15:5-6 (AMP) - (5) I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. (6) If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned."
Sorry if that bums you out today, but it will only bum you out if you are living in rejection of the Savior of the World.
If you have accepted and received Him then you are bearing abundant fruit and are at peace with it all.
Know this today. There is no price tag. You are worth EVERYTHING to God. He has given His only Son to purchase your very soul and spirit.
He wants you with Him. He longs for your acceptance. He wants to be your Father.
I wrote something the other day which said that Jesus thinks that I am "to die for."
He thinks that about you too.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
"Make Sure You Get It Right The First Time", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
We get one time around. One chance on the big blue marble. There's no coming back after we leave, and there are no more opportunities to fix it when were gone.
I'm talking about the one shot at life we have been given by the Creator of everything.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (Amplified Bible) - "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the place of the dead), where you are going.
While Solomon was not as wise as some like to say, he was right on this one.
Make the best of things here while you can. Especially when it pertains to your spiritual life.
Hebrews 9:27 - "And just as it is appointed for [all] men once to die, and after that the [certain] judgment"
One shot. You're born, you live, you die, you face judgment.
No entrapment in a tortured ghostly body stuck between the next life and earth until you are released by some act of chance.
No place of purging of sins after the fact, where indulgences of your loved ones can get you a reprieve to Heaven.
No intermingling with the living after death.
When you die, your body goes to the grave and your spirit and soul return to God to be dealt with according to what you did when you were alive.
Period.
Get it right while you can. Get it right before you draw your last breath.
Get it right today.
There is NO fixing it later.
There is no guarantee you will be here next year or even tomorrow.
However, there is good news for the living!
Romans 10:9 - "If you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
You have heard the term, "That's a big "if". Well, there is no bigger "IF" than this one.
There is no other way to fix it. Good works don't cut it. We do good works because we are saved, not as a means to get saved.
There is only one way to salvation and ensuring your place in Heaven after you die.
You must turn from your sins to Jesus Christ and make Him your Lord. He is already your Savior. He has died for you.
Acknowledge Him right now. This very moment. Make a decision to do a complete turnaround from sin and embrace what He has accomplished for you on the Cross.
He is the Savior of the world.
Now make Him your Lord!
Simply speak to Him.
"Yes, Lord. I now know what you have done for me on the Cross. I accept you as my Savior and I confess you as my Lord. Thank you Jesus!"
The Holy Spirit has now come and applied the cleansing Blood of Christ to your spirit and soul, your sins are washed away, and you are now "born-again"!
Go and sin no more.
Let Him lead you and never turn away.
You are now a part of the Family of God for eternity!
Be blessed and enjoy your new life!
2 Cor. 5:17 - "Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!"
Now...THAT is Real Life! Tell everyone you know about it!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
I'm talking about the one shot at life we have been given by the Creator of everything.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (Amplified Bible) - "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the place of the dead), where you are going.
While Solomon was not as wise as some like to say, he was right on this one.
Make the best of things here while you can. Especially when it pertains to your spiritual life.
Hebrews 9:27 - "And just as it is appointed for [all] men once to die, and after that the [certain] judgment"
One shot. You're born, you live, you die, you face judgment.
No entrapment in a tortured ghostly body stuck between the next life and earth until you are released by some act of chance.
No place of purging of sins after the fact, where indulgences of your loved ones can get you a reprieve to Heaven.
No intermingling with the living after death.
When you die, your body goes to the grave and your spirit and soul return to God to be dealt with according to what you did when you were alive.
Period.
Get it right while you can. Get it right before you draw your last breath.
Get it right today.
There is NO fixing it later.
There is no guarantee you will be here next year or even tomorrow.
However, there is good news for the living!
Romans 10:9 - "If you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
You have heard the term, "That's a big "if". Well, there is no bigger "IF" than this one.
There is no other way to fix it. Good works don't cut it. We do good works because we are saved, not as a means to get saved.
There is only one way to salvation and ensuring your place in Heaven after you die.
You must turn from your sins to Jesus Christ and make Him your Lord. He is already your Savior. He has died for you.
Acknowledge Him right now. This very moment. Make a decision to do a complete turnaround from sin and embrace what He has accomplished for you on the Cross.
He is the Savior of the world.
Now make Him your Lord!
Simply speak to Him.
"Yes, Lord. I now know what you have done for me on the Cross. I accept you as my Savior and I confess you as my Lord. Thank you Jesus!"
The Holy Spirit has now come and applied the cleansing Blood of Christ to your spirit and soul, your sins are washed away, and you are now "born-again"!
Go and sin no more.
Let Him lead you and never turn away.
You are now a part of the Family of God for eternity!
Be blessed and enjoy your new life!
2 Cor. 5:17 - "Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!"
Now...THAT is Real Life! Tell everyone you know about it!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"Cause Or Consequence", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
The exact polar opposite of what comes natural. That's what God asks us to perform when we deal with this necessity called "repentance".
Sin is what comes natural. We are born into it and eventually will commit it. It has remained true for every person who ever lived. Except Jesus.
Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:10 - "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."
God asks us to step into the realm of the supernatural. There is nothing natural about it. It goes against our sin nature.
He asks us to takes a step toward forgiveness.
Frequently a Greek verb for sin occurs in the NT. It is "metanoeo" and it means simply "to change one's mind". It always means to do so for the better.
An example would be from Acts 3:19 - "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."
However, then there is the noun of the same word. Spelled slightly different it is "metanoia".
Here's the kicker, and where people get turned around if not properly directed.
"Metanoia" means a "real" change of mind and a complete attitude change toward sin itself...(here it comes)...
...AND the CAUSE of it and not merely the CONSEQUENCES of it.
CAUSE or CONSEQUENCE...which one have you reasoned with?
A real change of mind against sin constitutes a person going to the root cause and dealing with it, and not because of what the penalty is. We do it because God requires it of us to become adopted into His Family.
If you have played around with this thing called sin and have not gotten to the root cause of it, you will be trapped into a cycle of sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting...etc. Sin will still rule as the dominant lifestyle when God has required that a life of conformity to Him is what pleases Him.
It is no fun living before God sinning, fearing consequences, repenting, and doing it all over again.
It is "natural" to sin because it is our human, carnal nature to do so from birth.
It is supernatural to opt for Jesus when given the choice between serving Him or sin. That ability comes only through the born again and Holy Spirit experience. It comes to the TRULY penitent believer.
This is what is meant by true "repentance toward God".
So what about it? Cause or Consequence? How does God feel about it?
Well, how would you feel about someone using you just for what they could get out of you and then dropping you like a hot potato until they needed something from you again? Not good, right?
That's how God feels when someone commits a sin, gets scared they will pay a penalty, and then whines to Him to please forgive them and they won't do it again. It indicates that there has been no "metanoia", no actual change of mind because of who God is to them.
Think about it in context of your experience.
It might just change your relationship with God in a dynamic way!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Sin is what comes natural. We are born into it and eventually will commit it. It has remained true for every person who ever lived. Except Jesus.
Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:10 - "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."
God asks us to step into the realm of the supernatural. There is nothing natural about it. It goes against our sin nature.
He asks us to takes a step toward forgiveness.
Frequently a Greek verb for sin occurs in the NT. It is "metanoeo" and it means simply "to change one's mind". It always means to do so for the better.
An example would be from Acts 3:19 - "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."
However, then there is the noun of the same word. Spelled slightly different it is "metanoia".
Here's the kicker, and where people get turned around if not properly directed.
"Metanoia" means a "real" change of mind and a complete attitude change toward sin itself...(here it comes)...
...AND the CAUSE of it and not merely the CONSEQUENCES of it.
CAUSE or CONSEQUENCE...which one have you reasoned with?
A real change of mind against sin constitutes a person going to the root cause and dealing with it, and not because of what the penalty is. We do it because God requires it of us to become adopted into His Family.
If you have played around with this thing called sin and have not gotten to the root cause of it, you will be trapped into a cycle of sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting...etc. Sin will still rule as the dominant lifestyle when God has required that a life of conformity to Him is what pleases Him.
It is no fun living before God sinning, fearing consequences, repenting, and doing it all over again.
It is "natural" to sin because it is our human, carnal nature to do so from birth.
It is supernatural to opt for Jesus when given the choice between serving Him or sin. That ability comes only through the born again and Holy Spirit experience. It comes to the TRULY penitent believer.
This is what is meant by true "repentance toward God".
So what about it? Cause or Consequence? How does God feel about it?
Well, how would you feel about someone using you just for what they could get out of you and then dropping you like a hot potato until they needed something from you again? Not good, right?
That's how God feels when someone commits a sin, gets scared they will pay a penalty, and then whines to Him to please forgive them and they won't do it again. It indicates that there has been no "metanoia", no actual change of mind because of who God is to them.
Think about it in context of your experience.
It might just change your relationship with God in a dynamic way!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Monday, August 16, 2010
"I See The Crashing And The Burning", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
While I am a diligent student of all the Word of God, and always heed the full counsel of Jesus and the Holy Spirit as to what and when to say what they would have me say, there are "favorite" passages that have effected me deeply and to which I return to regularly.
For instance, I love and refer to often verses from Matthew 6 concerning God's care over us.
The beginning chapters of Genesis dealing with the Creation and the Fall of Man are particularly meaningful to me.
How to live by faith, and what faith means from Hebrews 11 thrills me every time I preach it!
However, the Authority of the Believer as found in Luke 9 and 10 are to me some of the most exciting and pertinent words in all the Word of God, and cannot be worn out by preaching and teaching it effectively over and over again.
Such it is today.
I see what Jesus saw, simply by me putting it into effect, and encouraging others to as well.
Luke 10:18 - "And He said to them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven.
I see the crashing and the burning of the best efforts of the devil himself.
He tries. Lord, how he tries.
Satan's business is the destruction of the Church.
He tries, Lord, how he tries.
But, preceding what Jesus says He saw, was the report of people like you and me, and the exciting report of "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name!"
That's your concern for today. Are you operating in the strength and power of the Name of Jesus Christ today?
There should be evidence. Are you seeing the smoke trails from the most recently defeated efforts of Satan trying to destroy you?
Have you been to the crash site? Do the demons fall at your feet and cringe and subject themselves to you for disposal simply because you have spoken the Name of Jesus?
That my friends is EXACTLY how it should be! This is the normal Christian experience!
We have been instructed to use the authority of His Name. Demons are not afraid of you. They are afraid of Jesus in you.
The mere mention of His Name sends them to fleeing.
Listen to this from Jesus in verse 19: "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
If you figure on not believing me, make sure you at least believe Jesus.
These are His Words, not mine.
There you have it. "I HAVE GIVEN YOU"! His words to you today.
What are you going to do with that?
I'm hoping you start throwing the weight of that gift around with the authority that comes with it and begin to get the devil and his demons out of every demonic facet and stronghold in your life!
"Get your hands off my kids in the NAME OF JESUS!"
"Satan I command you to leave my mind and body with your destructive attitudes and diseases, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!"
"Demons from Hell, remove yourselves from my presence and my home in the NAME OF JESUS!"
These are just a few samples.
Do that. Do that and watch the crashing and the burning of yet another failure to harm you and yours.
Take authority in Christ and His promise is that "Nothing shall in any way harm you."
Put it to work and be more than a conqueror!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
For instance, I love and refer to often verses from Matthew 6 concerning God's care over us.
The beginning chapters of Genesis dealing with the Creation and the Fall of Man are particularly meaningful to me.
How to live by faith, and what faith means from Hebrews 11 thrills me every time I preach it!
However, the Authority of the Believer as found in Luke 9 and 10 are to me some of the most exciting and pertinent words in all the Word of God, and cannot be worn out by preaching and teaching it effectively over and over again.
Such it is today.
I see what Jesus saw, simply by me putting it into effect, and encouraging others to as well.
Luke 10:18 - "And He said to them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven.
I see the crashing and the burning of the best efforts of the devil himself.
He tries. Lord, how he tries.
Satan's business is the destruction of the Church.
He tries, Lord, how he tries.
But, preceding what Jesus says He saw, was the report of people like you and me, and the exciting report of "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name!"
That's your concern for today. Are you operating in the strength and power of the Name of Jesus Christ today?
There should be evidence. Are you seeing the smoke trails from the most recently defeated efforts of Satan trying to destroy you?
Have you been to the crash site? Do the demons fall at your feet and cringe and subject themselves to you for disposal simply because you have spoken the Name of Jesus?
That my friends is EXACTLY how it should be! This is the normal Christian experience!
We have been instructed to use the authority of His Name. Demons are not afraid of you. They are afraid of Jesus in you.
The mere mention of His Name sends them to fleeing.
Listen to this from Jesus in verse 19: "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
If you figure on not believing me, make sure you at least believe Jesus.
These are His Words, not mine.
There you have it. "I HAVE GIVEN YOU"! His words to you today.
What are you going to do with that?
I'm hoping you start throwing the weight of that gift around with the authority that comes with it and begin to get the devil and his demons out of every demonic facet and stronghold in your life!
"Get your hands off my kids in the NAME OF JESUS!"
"Satan I command you to leave my mind and body with your destructive attitudes and diseases, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!"
"Demons from Hell, remove yourselves from my presence and my home in the NAME OF JESUS!"
These are just a few samples.
Do that. Do that and watch the crashing and the burning of yet another failure to harm you and yours.
Take authority in Christ and His promise is that "Nothing shall in any way harm you."
Put it to work and be more than a conqueror!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Friday, August 13, 2010
"Know This And Understand", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
What's to know? You go though your day and you will say, "Thank you doctor", or you may praise the bank manager for spinning you a loan. You might marvel at the taste of the pastry the local bakery has prepared for you. You will tip the waiter, the bag boy, and the person who pumps your gas. You will giggle with glee as you find a sale at Walmart. Or that raise you have been hoping for has appeared in your paycheck. At the end of the day as you reach past your dust collecting bible to get to the remote, you will marvel at how smooth everything went and how blessed you are in this life.
As good a scenario as that portrays it lacks. By all intents and purposes it was a failure.
You just think it went well.
Days like that will happen. It will all seemingly fall into place in spite of the lack of a critical element.
Acts 4.
Peter, filled and inspired by the Holy Spirit, lets a crowd of people know that the reason they are celebrating a good fortune is because of one thing and one thing only:
Jesus.
In this daily scenario you had failed to recognize Jesus. You praised and tipped your way through the day without even once considering that you owe everything and much, much more to Jesus.
Acts 4:10 - "Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body."
It's all in the Name and the Power. The Crucified and Risen Jesus Christ.
How did you manage to forget Him?
Acts 4:11-12 - "This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. (12) And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved."
Despised and rejected.
How does one actually despise and reject Him today?
By ignoring Him. In fact, if He is not remembered in the small things then it could be said that He is mistreated.
Jesus is not to be pulled off the shelf on Sunday and forgotten the rest of the week.
Have you introduced your doctor to Him? Your bank manager? Your baker? The waiter, the bag boy, and the pump jockey?
Have you thanked Him for something as simple as 15% off? The little extra something in your pay?
People who think highly of something let everyone else know about it.
I'll bet everybody knows about your windfall and the sale event at Walmart.
Do they all know equally about your Jesus?
Your very salvation, as well as your sound mind and body, depend fully and exclusively upon the Name above every other name.
Today, tomorrow, and every day from here on out...
...it's Jesus.
Php. 2:10-11 - "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
As good a scenario as that portrays it lacks. By all intents and purposes it was a failure.
You just think it went well.
Days like that will happen. It will all seemingly fall into place in spite of the lack of a critical element.
Acts 4.
Peter, filled and inspired by the Holy Spirit, lets a crowd of people know that the reason they are celebrating a good fortune is because of one thing and one thing only:
Jesus.
In this daily scenario you had failed to recognize Jesus. You praised and tipped your way through the day without even once considering that you owe everything and much, much more to Jesus.
Acts 4:10 - "Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body."
It's all in the Name and the Power. The Crucified and Risen Jesus Christ.
How did you manage to forget Him?
Acts 4:11-12 - "This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. (12) And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved."
Despised and rejected.
How does one actually despise and reject Him today?
By ignoring Him. In fact, if He is not remembered in the small things then it could be said that He is mistreated.
Jesus is not to be pulled off the shelf on Sunday and forgotten the rest of the week.
Have you introduced your doctor to Him? Your bank manager? Your baker? The waiter, the bag boy, and the pump jockey?
Have you thanked Him for something as simple as 15% off? The little extra something in your pay?
People who think highly of something let everyone else know about it.
I'll bet everybody knows about your windfall and the sale event at Walmart.
Do they all know equally about your Jesus?
Your very salvation, as well as your sound mind and body, depend fully and exclusively upon the Name above every other name.
Today, tomorrow, and every day from here on out...
...it's Jesus.
Php. 2:10-11 - "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Thursday, August 12, 2010
"What's Going On In Your Backyard?"
What's your lawn look like? My front lawn is dry and burnt for the lack of rain we have had this year. Plus there are no shade trees to protect it. The rear has way more trees, but the sun can't get in there, so the grass is patchy and mixed with all sorts of crabgrass and weeds. It's a funny thing though, when it gets long and needs cutting it looks terrible with the weeds overtaking the grass. However...when it's mowed...even the weeds look good.
Jesus spoke about stuff like that in parables.
Matthew 13:38-39 (Amplified Bible) - "The field is the world, and the good seed means the children of the kingdom; the darnel is the children of the evil one, (39) And the enemy who sowed it is the devil. The harvest is the close and consummation of the age, and the reapers are angels."
The Church and the devil work the same field. We try to sow good seed (the Gospel), and right along with us, sometimes even under the same church roof, the children of darkness sow an alternate Gospel. One is the Truth, the other a Lie.
The children of the Evil One (weeds) haven't survived all of these years by sticking out prominently and making an open show of the Good Seed. Rather, they have found a way of insidiously implanting themselves among the Children of Promise and keeping a low profile. They know that when they are trimmed and kept in line they might even appear to be as good as the grass.
It takes a watchful eye to see the difference.
In my backyard the weeds always grow faster than the grass does. When that happens the Weeds are easily identified.
But when the lawn is freshly cut (trimmed and taken care of), even the Weeds look good.
Triimed and taken care of to make the Weeds look good?
Hmmm...
I can go on like that for years if I want. As long as I keep trimming and "hiding" the weeds and making them blend in and look as good as the grass, it will "appear", from a distance anyway, that all is well in the backyard.
However...if I want a healthy and thriving green lawn...
...I must get rid of the Weeds.
Your "backyard" represents your life, your church, your workplace, your neighborhood, your city...
What are you doing to cultivate holiness and the Kingdom of God?
Do you work diligently to weed out the disruption? The sin?
Or do you smooth it over, and although you know the Bad Seed is there, simply dress it up and allow it to blend in with the Good Seed?
It takes diligence to do the work of tending God's fields.
Sometimes it's just easier to dress up the weeds and pretend they are not there.
But remember...you run the risk of strangulating any goodness that might be present.
Be diligent. Or one day you may awaken to a field of nothing but weeds.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Jesus spoke about stuff like that in parables.
Matthew 13:38-39 (Amplified Bible) - "The field is the world, and the good seed means the children of the kingdom; the darnel is the children of the evil one, (39) And the enemy who sowed it is the devil. The harvest is the close and consummation of the age, and the reapers are angels."
The Church and the devil work the same field. We try to sow good seed (the Gospel), and right along with us, sometimes even under the same church roof, the children of darkness sow an alternate Gospel. One is the Truth, the other a Lie.
The children of the Evil One (weeds) haven't survived all of these years by sticking out prominently and making an open show of the Good Seed. Rather, they have found a way of insidiously implanting themselves among the Children of Promise and keeping a low profile. They know that when they are trimmed and kept in line they might even appear to be as good as the grass.
It takes a watchful eye to see the difference.
In my backyard the weeds always grow faster than the grass does. When that happens the Weeds are easily identified.
But when the lawn is freshly cut (trimmed and taken care of), even the Weeds look good.
Triimed and taken care of to make the Weeds look good?
Hmmm...
I can go on like that for years if I want. As long as I keep trimming and "hiding" the weeds and making them blend in and look as good as the grass, it will "appear", from a distance anyway, that all is well in the backyard.
However...if I want a healthy and thriving green lawn...
...I must get rid of the Weeds.
Your "backyard" represents your life, your church, your workplace, your neighborhood, your city...
What are you doing to cultivate holiness and the Kingdom of God?
Do you work diligently to weed out the disruption? The sin?
Or do you smooth it over, and although you know the Bad Seed is there, simply dress it up and allow it to blend in with the Good Seed?
It takes diligence to do the work of tending God's fields.
Sometimes it's just easier to dress up the weeds and pretend they are not there.
But remember...you run the risk of strangulating any goodness that might be present.
Be diligent. Or one day you may awaken to a field of nothing but weeds.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
"Trust Issues", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
Trust. Where, and in whom, do we place it? It's a fragile commodity within the human race. No honest and true relationship will last or flourish without it.
Not between husband and wife. Not between parents and children. Not between workers and supervision.
Not between Man and God.
The void left by a lack of trust will always be fulfilled by suspicion, fear, and anxiety.
Picture a marriage operating in that fashion. One spouse or both will never be able to be apart from the other without wondering if the other is being faithful. One business partner will always wonder if the other is raiding the till. One will always morbidly fear that harm is coming to someone they care about.
Many, even professing Christians, cannot (which is actually "will not") trust the One which makes them a Christian. How's that for a paradox?
All of our trust issues flow from a major lack of trust in Christ.
C'mon. Don't be offended this morning. Fess up. Get it out on the table in the light of morning and allow Jesus to help you deal with it.
Most likely you will find that it's not so much that you distrust Jesus, but that it's your own phobic inability to release your control and anxiety over things you have no control over anyway.
It is rather silly, but also very, very harmful. Actually, it's quite devastating.
If you do not learn how to trust Jesus with everything, you will live a sub par life directed by a myopic faith.
Sorry to be harsh today, but you MUST do this. Heavy accent upon MUST. The alternative is...well...you know what it is. You're suffering with it right now (insomnia, fear, anxiety, worry, headaches, pain, short temper, argumentativeness, etc.).
Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him."
"As you trust in Him."
Followed by, "...so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
There it is. That's the stuff that lets you lay your head upon your pillow at night and allows you to sleep soundly and awaken refreshed the next morning.
Notice... You trust... God fills...the Holy Spirit empowers.
The more you give to Jesus the less you have to worry about.
Look...
1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
All of it! Do not hold on to a single fragment!
Matthew 6:27 - "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
In fact, we know today that anxiety and worry may very well shorten your life!
Jesus knows what He is speaking of. He is your Creator (John 1:3).
I revisit this theme fairly often. Why? Because I see good Christian men and women crippled by fear, worry, and anxiety.
It's not God's plan or desire for you.
It's a subtle way for the enemy to steal your joy and wreck your life.
Come out of it! You can do it! Look to the Cross daily. Focus upon and follow Jesus not your troubles.
Give it all over to Jesus and leave it with Him!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Not between husband and wife. Not between parents and children. Not between workers and supervision.
Not between Man and God.
The void left by a lack of trust will always be fulfilled by suspicion, fear, and anxiety.
Picture a marriage operating in that fashion. One spouse or both will never be able to be apart from the other without wondering if the other is being faithful. One business partner will always wonder if the other is raiding the till. One will always morbidly fear that harm is coming to someone they care about.
Many, even professing Christians, cannot (which is actually "will not") trust the One which makes them a Christian. How's that for a paradox?
All of our trust issues flow from a major lack of trust in Christ.
C'mon. Don't be offended this morning. Fess up. Get it out on the table in the light of morning and allow Jesus to help you deal with it.
Most likely you will find that it's not so much that you distrust Jesus, but that it's your own phobic inability to release your control and anxiety over things you have no control over anyway.
It is rather silly, but also very, very harmful. Actually, it's quite devastating.
If you do not learn how to trust Jesus with everything, you will live a sub par life directed by a myopic faith.
Sorry to be harsh today, but you MUST do this. Heavy accent upon MUST. The alternative is...well...you know what it is. You're suffering with it right now (insomnia, fear, anxiety, worry, headaches, pain, short temper, argumentativeness, etc.).
Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him."
"As you trust in Him."
Followed by, "...so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
There it is. That's the stuff that lets you lay your head upon your pillow at night and allows you to sleep soundly and awaken refreshed the next morning.
Notice... You trust... God fills...the Holy Spirit empowers.
The more you give to Jesus the less you have to worry about.
Look...
1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
All of it! Do not hold on to a single fragment!
Matthew 6:27 - "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
In fact, we know today that anxiety and worry may very well shorten your life!
Jesus knows what He is speaking of. He is your Creator (John 1:3).
I revisit this theme fairly often. Why? Because I see good Christian men and women crippled by fear, worry, and anxiety.
It's not God's plan or desire for you.
It's a subtle way for the enemy to steal your joy and wreck your life.
Come out of it! You can do it! Look to the Cross daily. Focus upon and follow Jesus not your troubles.
Give it all over to Jesus and leave it with Him!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
"Be", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
When you are a disciple of Jesus Christ there is a lot that goes with the territory.
You become a light. A shining beacon.
It emanates from you and lights the paths of darkness for others to follow.
You act differently than you were before you knew Christ.
Good works flow from you, yet they point to the Heavenly Father and glorify Him and not you.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Could you possibly be okay with that?
I am. After a life of selfishness and self-gratification (which harnessed me NOTHING), it is a joy and pleasure to have people see Christ and not me.
My all time favorite bible verse ever is:
Galatians 2:20 (Amplified Bible)
"I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
People have asked me over the years how to do that.
It's not in the doing, nor the performing.
It's in the being.
"I have BEEN crucified with Christ".
Done. Finished. It's the Cross. It's always the Cross. I have died with Jesus yet I am more alive, and when people see me I pray they see Jesus. If they will never remember my name to put on my gravestone it would suit me just fine. As long as they remember Jesus.
Run. Walk. Crawl. But let your destination be the Cross. BE crucified in all of your fleshly, carnal desires. Let your need for attention and recognition be absorbed completely in Him to the point where you disappear and all that's left is Jesus.
If you desire that then you have come to a great place of understanding. It will all be settled for you and peace and joy in Christ will reign in your life.
You will become transformed. No more struggle to accomplish.
All things added to you.
A state of BE.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
You become a light. A shining beacon.
It emanates from you and lights the paths of darkness for others to follow.
You act differently than you were before you knew Christ.
Good works flow from you, yet they point to the Heavenly Father and glorify Him and not you.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Could you possibly be okay with that?
I am. After a life of selfishness and self-gratification (which harnessed me NOTHING), it is a joy and pleasure to have people see Christ and not me.
My all time favorite bible verse ever is:
Galatians 2:20 (Amplified Bible)
"I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
People have asked me over the years how to do that.
It's not in the doing, nor the performing.
It's in the being.
"I have BEEN crucified with Christ".
Done. Finished. It's the Cross. It's always the Cross. I have died with Jesus yet I am more alive, and when people see me I pray they see Jesus. If they will never remember my name to put on my gravestone it would suit me just fine. As long as they remember Jesus.
Run. Walk. Crawl. But let your destination be the Cross. BE crucified in all of your fleshly, carnal desires. Let your need for attention and recognition be absorbed completely in Him to the point where you disappear and all that's left is Jesus.
If you desire that then you have come to a great place of understanding. It will all be settled for you and peace and joy in Christ will reign in your life.
You will become transformed. No more struggle to accomplish.
All things added to you.
A state of BE.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Monday, August 9, 2010
"God's Way Is The High Way", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
It's not our way. It's never our way.
"There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12 Amplified Bible).
We can really mess things up if we are not careful. We sometimes shoot ourselves in the foot, bruise our fragile egos, paint ourselves into a corner, trip over our own tongue, stick our foot in our mouth, open up a can of butt whoopin'...none of it good.
Our way can leave us overturned in a ditch upside down and staring up at the sky wondering..."OK, at what point did it all go horribly wrong?"
It was the moment you turned from (or never got on) the High Way...the God Way.
It's not really "my way or the highway". It's God's Way or your way.
One works. The other doesn't.
I can understand running off the rails in light of no direction.
But...Jesus said, "I AM THE WAY" (John 14:6).
"There is no other NAME under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved" Acts 4:12)
Jesus doesn't merely point the way so that we can try to follow Him.
Jesus IS the WAY!
Try to remember that today. When you're tempted to be impatient, or you're feeling superior, or itchin' for a change...remember He is the Way and His path is straight and leads to life.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
"There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12 Amplified Bible).
We can really mess things up if we are not careful. We sometimes shoot ourselves in the foot, bruise our fragile egos, paint ourselves into a corner, trip over our own tongue, stick our foot in our mouth, open up a can of butt whoopin'...none of it good.
Our way can leave us overturned in a ditch upside down and staring up at the sky wondering..."OK, at what point did it all go horribly wrong?"
It was the moment you turned from (or never got on) the High Way...the God Way.
It's not really "my way or the highway". It's God's Way or your way.
One works. The other doesn't.
I can understand running off the rails in light of no direction.
But...Jesus said, "I AM THE WAY" (John 14:6).
"There is no other NAME under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved" Acts 4:12)
Jesus doesn't merely point the way so that we can try to follow Him.
Jesus IS the WAY!
Try to remember that today. When you're tempted to be impatient, or you're feeling superior, or itchin' for a change...remember He is the Way and His path is straight and leads to life.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Friday, August 6, 2010
"The Watchers And The Watched Over", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
I never asked for this. It wasn't my idea. I had no aspirations, designs, or plans.
God swooped down over me one day and dropped it into my lap. "Preach My Word. Watch over My people."
My wife actually broke down in tears right next to me at the altar all those years ago. We were both scared. Life was about to change drastically.
God caught us both up with Him, and we have been dutiful servants to our charge over these last 23 years or so.
As perfect as we think it should be where God is involved, it is not. I am not perfect and people are not perfect and sometimes those imperfections clash.
When they do it raises some dust. I have been doing this long enough to know eventually the dust settles. Sometimes rather quickly. That's called grace.
I have never demanded a thing from anyone. I simply lead according to the gifts the Holy Spirit has given me. I have always appreciated the folks God has tossed over my way to share our lives together.
It mostly has worked out. Sometimes it doesn't.
Hebrews 13:17 (Amplified Bible)
"Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either]."
I have always appreciated the nuggets of truth passed on to me by those who have been down this road.
"Son, some folks will simply not allow themselves to be cared for." ~a blessed old timer now in heaven~
Definitely one piece of advice that has been forced to the forefront of my brain from my dusty archives on occasion.
Several elements of the above verse stand out.
There is the submission of the sheep and the trustworthiness of the shepherd.
It only works when the gears mesh together and run smooth.
Authority cannot be demanded and submission cannot be forced.
It's a mutual agreement.
It's a God ordained trust and will not work when one or the other (or both) breaks down.
I do know one thing. It fails when we forget it's God's business.
We have a delicate yet durable relationship in Jesus Christ. A simple moment of hurt or discouragement can tear it all asunder, but the very Gates of Hell cannot defeat it. Paradoxical. Much of God's Word is.
That's when we know it's a God thing.
Oh Lord. We are fragile people given a sturdy task. We need You in it every step of the way. Guide and correct us because at the end of the day it is You who suffers reproach because of our actions. Keep us honest and worthy of the task at hand which is to spread your Holy Word across the earth. Let us assist and not hinder the work left to be done. Amen.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
God swooped down over me one day and dropped it into my lap. "Preach My Word. Watch over My people."
My wife actually broke down in tears right next to me at the altar all those years ago. We were both scared. Life was about to change drastically.
God caught us both up with Him, and we have been dutiful servants to our charge over these last 23 years or so.
As perfect as we think it should be where God is involved, it is not. I am not perfect and people are not perfect and sometimes those imperfections clash.
When they do it raises some dust. I have been doing this long enough to know eventually the dust settles. Sometimes rather quickly. That's called grace.
I have never demanded a thing from anyone. I simply lead according to the gifts the Holy Spirit has given me. I have always appreciated the folks God has tossed over my way to share our lives together.
It mostly has worked out. Sometimes it doesn't.
Hebrews 13:17 (Amplified Bible)
"Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either]."
I have always appreciated the nuggets of truth passed on to me by those who have been down this road.
"Son, some folks will simply not allow themselves to be cared for." ~a blessed old timer now in heaven~
Definitely one piece of advice that has been forced to the forefront of my brain from my dusty archives on occasion.
Several elements of the above verse stand out.
There is the submission of the sheep and the trustworthiness of the shepherd.
It only works when the gears mesh together and run smooth.
Authority cannot be demanded and submission cannot be forced.
It's a mutual agreement.
It's a God ordained trust and will not work when one or the other (or both) breaks down.
I do know one thing. It fails when we forget it's God's business.
We have a delicate yet durable relationship in Jesus Christ. A simple moment of hurt or discouragement can tear it all asunder, but the very Gates of Hell cannot defeat it. Paradoxical. Much of God's Word is.
That's when we know it's a God thing.
Oh Lord. We are fragile people given a sturdy task. We need You in it every step of the way. Guide and correct us because at the end of the day it is You who suffers reproach because of our actions. Keep us honest and worthy of the task at hand which is to spread your Holy Word across the earth. Let us assist and not hinder the work left to be done. Amen.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Thursday, August 5, 2010
"The Reckoning", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
People deal with their problems differently. Some enjoy, even thrive, on confrontation. Others are more willing to try to wait things out and see how they develop.
Jesus appears to be a person who went right to the source of the problem and hashed it out as soon as possible.
Perhaps even preemptively.
Check out the verse from Mark 1: 12-13:
"Immediately the [Holy] Spirit [from within] drove Him out into the wilderness (desert), (13) And He stayed in the wilderness (desert) forty days, being tempted [all the while] by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to Him [continually]."
Jesus has just embarked upon His earthly ministry, and has just been baptized by John, and then filled with the Holy Spirit.
The verse says "immediately" He was driven into the desert.
Driven. Holy Spirit driven.
He was driven and He did not resist.
He would spend the next 40 days and nights being tempted and harassed by Satan himself.
It was a reckoning. It needed to happen. Jesus was just the person to do it.
He was always the One. He still is the One.
He won't stand for injustice and sin.
When He found the temple turned into a flea market He immediately confronted and reckoned with it.
He has been our role model. He attacked and conquered sinfulness and unrighteousness the same way we are supposed to...by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is how we live.
Our temple is our body and we are to keep it righteous. Not religiously in our own strength, but through the power of God.
By submitting to Christ we are allowing all the power of God to be released into us by the Holy Spirit.
Don't waste any time. Don't think things are just going to straighten out on their own.
If God's not at work in you, if you have grieved the Holy Spirit away by your poor choices, it isn't happening for you.
Grace works as God pours it out. It fails as we refuse to receive it.
Perhaps you need a reckoning. Maybe you need to have your desert experience where you confront and conquer all your demons and temptations the same way Jesus did.
The Holy Spirit is a mighty force and power whom we cannot afford to live without.
He was the power in Jesus and He is the power in us today!
Why prolong it? How much more will you stand for? Draw your line in the sand.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
From the archives 2009.
Jesus appears to be a person who went right to the source of the problem and hashed it out as soon as possible.
Perhaps even preemptively.
Check out the verse from Mark 1: 12-13:
"Immediately the [Holy] Spirit [from within] drove Him out into the wilderness (desert), (13) And He stayed in the wilderness (desert) forty days, being tempted [all the while] by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to Him [continually]."
Jesus has just embarked upon His earthly ministry, and has just been baptized by John, and then filled with the Holy Spirit.
The verse says "immediately" He was driven into the desert.
Driven. Holy Spirit driven.
He was driven and He did not resist.
He would spend the next 40 days and nights being tempted and harassed by Satan himself.
It was a reckoning. It needed to happen. Jesus was just the person to do it.
He was always the One. He still is the One.
He won't stand for injustice and sin.
When He found the temple turned into a flea market He immediately confronted and reckoned with it.
He has been our role model. He attacked and conquered sinfulness and unrighteousness the same way we are supposed to...by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is how we live.
Our temple is our body and we are to keep it righteous. Not religiously in our own strength, but through the power of God.
By submitting to Christ we are allowing all the power of God to be released into us by the Holy Spirit.
Don't waste any time. Don't think things are just going to straighten out on their own.
If God's not at work in you, if you have grieved the Holy Spirit away by your poor choices, it isn't happening for you.
Grace works as God pours it out. It fails as we refuse to receive it.
Perhaps you need a reckoning. Maybe you need to have your desert experience where you confront and conquer all your demons and temptations the same way Jesus did.
The Holy Spirit is a mighty force and power whom we cannot afford to live without.
He was the power in Jesus and He is the power in us today!
Why prolong it? How much more will you stand for? Draw your line in the sand.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
From the archives 2009.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
"Yes, There Is Such A Thing As A Free Lunch", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
It's rare these days, but a person can still scrounge up a free lunch somewhere (coupons, two-fer's, bogo's, soup kitchens, etc.). In any event, the old adage of "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch" has been soundly refuted.
In the spiritual, concerning things where the Holy Spirit is concerned, everything is free.
In fact, the Holy Spirit Himself is free.
It's a concept that I believe many find harder to believe as the years progress. In today's society and economy, the economy of the Holy Spirit (which is how God deals with the present world) is rejected because of disbelief and even the notion that even God doesn't give away free stuff.
People gauge how God interacts with us by the actions of the Church. When some members of His Church (or even entire churches) act contrary to the economy of God, then the result is often tragic.
Take the case of one Simon the Sorcerer in the book of Acts.
Simon as described in Chapter 8 of Acts, was a man who used to amaze all the people of the city of Samaria with his proficiency in the use of the magic arts. When the apostle Philip arrived and began getting people saved in the name of Jesus, Simon was one of them. It was probably due to the fall off in business once Philip started exhibiting true signs and wonders from God.
Make no mistake, the Word is clear in 8:13 - "Even Simon himself believed [he adhered to, trusted in, and relied on the teaching of Philip], and after being baptized, devoted himself constantly to him. And seeing signs and miracles of great power which were being performed, he was utterly amazed.
What Philip had started, Peter and John now arrive to finish the work by getting people baptized in the Holy Spirit.
(17) "Then [the apostles] laid their hands on them one by one, and they received the Holy Spirit."
Here's where it starts to go sour.
(18) "However, when Simon saw that the [Holy] Spirit was imparted through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he brought money and offered it to them."
Bad move Simon. Very, very bad move.
It's a bad move for you also if you are trying to buy salvation, the Holy Spirit, healing, prosperity, or everything else that God gives freely.
What was meant for empowerment Simon saw as a get rich quick scheme.
(19) "Saying, Grant me also this power and authority, in order that anyone on whom I place my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Simon saw something. Whatever it was, he wanted it and was willing to pay for it.
Peter pointed out his folly and danger.
(20) "But Peter said to him, Destruction overtake your money and you, because you imagined you could obtain the [free] gift of God with money!"
We don't know what happened to Simon, but he became scared enough to beg Peter to take the "curse" off of him and pray that none of what Peter said would befall him.
Peter told him that repentance was possible. Let's hope he took advantage of it.
Think what you will, but this was "anathema" a sure execration placed upon Simon by Peter for trying to misappropriate the Power of God.
Remember Ananias and Sapphira? They were struck dead by the Holy Spirit for trying to run a scam upon the Church.
I have seen modern day representatives of these people personally. I am surprised that there aren't more and more of them dropping dead for their tinkering with God's economy.
Remember there is the "church" (a faux, a misrepresentation) and there is "THE CHURCH". It's THE CHURCH without spot or wrinkle that pleases God and gets to be a part of the Eternal Kingdom.
The disgruntled, the scammers, the liars, the cheaters, all are anathema and under a delusion that God somehow condones their pathetic actions.
What God has freely given let man freely receive.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
In the spiritual, concerning things where the Holy Spirit is concerned, everything is free.
In fact, the Holy Spirit Himself is free.
It's a concept that I believe many find harder to believe as the years progress. In today's society and economy, the economy of the Holy Spirit (which is how God deals with the present world) is rejected because of disbelief and even the notion that even God doesn't give away free stuff.
People gauge how God interacts with us by the actions of the Church. When some members of His Church (or even entire churches) act contrary to the economy of God, then the result is often tragic.
Take the case of one Simon the Sorcerer in the book of Acts.
Simon as described in Chapter 8 of Acts, was a man who used to amaze all the people of the city of Samaria with his proficiency in the use of the magic arts. When the apostle Philip arrived and began getting people saved in the name of Jesus, Simon was one of them. It was probably due to the fall off in business once Philip started exhibiting true signs and wonders from God.
Make no mistake, the Word is clear in 8:13 - "Even Simon himself believed [he adhered to, trusted in, and relied on the teaching of Philip], and after being baptized, devoted himself constantly to him. And seeing signs and miracles of great power which were being performed, he was utterly amazed.
What Philip had started, Peter and John now arrive to finish the work by getting people baptized in the Holy Spirit.
(17) "Then [the apostles] laid their hands on them one by one, and they received the Holy Spirit."
Here's where it starts to go sour.
(18) "However, when Simon saw that the [Holy] Spirit was imparted through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he brought money and offered it to them."
Bad move Simon. Very, very bad move.
It's a bad move for you also if you are trying to buy salvation, the Holy Spirit, healing, prosperity, or everything else that God gives freely.
What was meant for empowerment Simon saw as a get rich quick scheme.
(19) "Saying, Grant me also this power and authority, in order that anyone on whom I place my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Simon saw something. Whatever it was, he wanted it and was willing to pay for it.
Peter pointed out his folly and danger.
(20) "But Peter said to him, Destruction overtake your money and you, because you imagined you could obtain the [free] gift of God with money!"
We don't know what happened to Simon, but he became scared enough to beg Peter to take the "curse" off of him and pray that none of what Peter said would befall him.
Peter told him that repentance was possible. Let's hope he took advantage of it.
Think what you will, but this was "anathema" a sure execration placed upon Simon by Peter for trying to misappropriate the Power of God.
Remember Ananias and Sapphira? They were struck dead by the Holy Spirit for trying to run a scam upon the Church.
I have seen modern day representatives of these people personally. I am surprised that there aren't more and more of them dropping dead for their tinkering with God's economy.
Remember there is the "church" (a faux, a misrepresentation) and there is "THE CHURCH". It's THE CHURCH without spot or wrinkle that pleases God and gets to be a part of the Eternal Kingdom.
The disgruntled, the scammers, the liars, the cheaters, all are anathema and under a delusion that God somehow condones their pathetic actions.
What God has freely given let man freely receive.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
"The Ascendancy Of Self", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
The throne of God is the highest authority in the universe, and always has been, is presently, and always will be eternally.
From the earliest ages even before the world was formed, principalities and powers have tried to ascend to equality with God, and even launch a concerted effort in the form of a spiritual "coup" to try to usurp and even wrestle away that authority.
Isaiah 14:13-14 (Amplified Bible) - "And you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north. (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
Where do you think the human element of God's creation takes its cue from?
The unenlightened sinful nature of man will always try to ascend past where it is capable or allowed.
It will always want to be like God in some form.
You will see it in your home. Your job. Your government. Your neighborhood.
Your church.
It is one of the most evidential proofs we have of a persons true nature.
Self must never be allowed to ascend past the God ordained limitations that are in place to keep order.
Self must always yield to God, or it will trample over goodness like a wild boar tearing up a vineyard.
Saul (Paul) almost destroyed the Church that way.
Find your place in Him and let Him lead you. When we do that we will never allow self-grandizing ways to overstep God's plans.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
From the earliest ages even before the world was formed, principalities and powers have tried to ascend to equality with God, and even launch a concerted effort in the form of a spiritual "coup" to try to usurp and even wrestle away that authority.
Isaiah 14:13-14 (Amplified Bible) - "And you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north. (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
Where do you think the human element of God's creation takes its cue from?
The unenlightened sinful nature of man will always try to ascend past where it is capable or allowed.
It will always want to be like God in some form.
You will see it in your home. Your job. Your government. Your neighborhood.
Your church.
It is one of the most evidential proofs we have of a persons true nature.
Self must never be allowed to ascend past the God ordained limitations that are in place to keep order.
Self must always yield to God, or it will trample over goodness like a wild boar tearing up a vineyard.
Saul (Paul) almost destroyed the Church that way.
Find your place in Him and let Him lead you. When we do that we will never allow self-grandizing ways to overstep God's plans.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Monday, August 2, 2010
"Beware The Viper In The Woodpile", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
The deadly viper. Sneakier than your larger variety constrictors. They will try to suffocate you over time, but the viper strikes quickly without warning.
The apostle Paul dealt with one on the island of Malta.
Acts 28:3 - "Now Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and he was laying them on the fire when a viper crawled out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand."
Sometimes they slither and crawl. Sometimes they come at you on two legs. The "heat" brings them out.
Rest assured, from Adam and Eve in the Garden, to Paul on Malta, and to us today, the deadly viper, whether manifested physically or spiritually, is alive and well and wants to disrupt, maim, and even kill and destroy you and the ministry of Jesus Christ in your life and in your church.
Demons, devils, fallen angels, Satan himself, and the people they use, all in the category of deadly viper.
On your job, in your neighborhood, perhaps within the walls of your home.
Even in your church.
Maybe even particularly in your church.
In fact, the church makes an excellent "woodpile".
It's where the "shapeshifters" hide.
They will lay dormant, perhaps for years, and then one day, without warning, you go to the same woodpile to gather where you have for years, and suddenly...you're bitten.
Not just you, but everyone in the congregation. The spiritual venom seeks it's level like water. The situation becomes fluid and unstable.
There is that one tedious, uncertain moment during the initial part of the crisis where one wonders just how deadly is this going to be?
I am convinced that this is the critical period. A church could rise or fall during this time.
"Strike the shepherd and the flock will scatter".
Some may be waiting, perhaps the viper itself...baited breath...uncertainty...fear...sorrow...ANGER...what will happen?...
And then...the slow exhale begins...Wait a minute! Praise God! It's OK! It's going to be all right!
"(5) Then [Paul simply] shook off the small creature into the fire and suffered no evil effects."
No evil effects. Those on the down low could not get the church on the low down.
They (whoever and whatever fits the bill as a "viper") have been trying for centuries. They bite, they nip, they scratch, they deride, they slander, they whine, and they exhibit their foolish pride and self-serving ways...all to no avail.
As long as the church is strong and the shepherd does not fail (connectivity to THE Shepherd).
Beware of the viper in your woodpile. It will strike without warning and shock and disbelief will be your first reaction. However, if you are prayed up, read up, and in close fellowship with Jesus, you will shake it off and suffer NO EVIL EFFECTS!
Keepin' it Real, and providing solutions to "real life" difficulties...
Pastor Kevin <><
The apostle Paul dealt with one on the island of Malta.
Acts 28:3 - "Now Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and he was laying them on the fire when a viper crawled out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand."
Sometimes they slither and crawl. Sometimes they come at you on two legs. The "heat" brings them out.
Rest assured, from Adam and Eve in the Garden, to Paul on Malta, and to us today, the deadly viper, whether manifested physically or spiritually, is alive and well and wants to disrupt, maim, and even kill and destroy you and the ministry of Jesus Christ in your life and in your church.
Demons, devils, fallen angels, Satan himself, and the people they use, all in the category of deadly viper.
On your job, in your neighborhood, perhaps within the walls of your home.
Even in your church.
Maybe even particularly in your church.
In fact, the church makes an excellent "woodpile".
It's where the "shapeshifters" hide.
They will lay dormant, perhaps for years, and then one day, without warning, you go to the same woodpile to gather where you have for years, and suddenly...you're bitten.
Not just you, but everyone in the congregation. The spiritual venom seeks it's level like water. The situation becomes fluid and unstable.
There is that one tedious, uncertain moment during the initial part of the crisis where one wonders just how deadly is this going to be?
I am convinced that this is the critical period. A church could rise or fall during this time.
"Strike the shepherd and the flock will scatter".
Some may be waiting, perhaps the viper itself...baited breath...uncertainty...fear...sorrow...ANGER...what will happen?...
And then...the slow exhale begins...Wait a minute! Praise God! It's OK! It's going to be all right!
"(5) Then [Paul simply] shook off the small creature into the fire and suffered no evil effects."
No evil effects. Those on the down low could not get the church on the low down.
They (whoever and whatever fits the bill as a "viper") have been trying for centuries. They bite, they nip, they scratch, they deride, they slander, they whine, and they exhibit their foolish pride and self-serving ways...all to no avail.
As long as the church is strong and the shepherd does not fail (connectivity to THE Shepherd).
Beware of the viper in your woodpile. It will strike without warning and shock and disbelief will be your first reaction. However, if you are prayed up, read up, and in close fellowship with Jesus, you will shake it off and suffer NO EVIL EFFECTS!
Keepin' it Real, and providing solutions to "real life" difficulties...
Pastor Kevin <><
Sunday, August 1, 2010
"Garden Variety Deception", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
Gen. 3:11 - "And He said, Who told you that you were naked?"
Nothing has changed in 6,000 years. What had revealed the sin of Adam and Eve will still reveal the deception and lies of people today.
The ways and means might differ slightly, but it's still a convicting fear of discovery.
Today it's not physical nakedness, but rather a nakedness of the spirit revealed in the fearful unwillingness to be confronted about one's own actions.
So much more is said by the desperate attempt to avoid, then by willfully trying to defend sinful actions.
By the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and I can attest to this personally, the past becomes revealed in an instant pertaining to things that in times past might not ever have been considered.
Rest assured, the deceiver will always tip their hand revealing things that in the natural we might not have ever considered being true. Things long buried, where there had never even been a question as to a persons truthfulness and honesty, are now revealed in an "Aha!" moment.
A hasty retreat versus acting according to rules of Christian decency and protocol is all we even need.
Essentially it is "Who told you that you were naked?"
Listen to the Voice of God, and heed the revelation of the Spirit. Working together they will go far in preserving you and the work of the Church.
That is about as "Real" as it gets!
Pastor Kevin <><
Nothing has changed in 6,000 years. What had revealed the sin of Adam and Eve will still reveal the deception and lies of people today.
The ways and means might differ slightly, but it's still a convicting fear of discovery.
Today it's not physical nakedness, but rather a nakedness of the spirit revealed in the fearful unwillingness to be confronted about one's own actions.
So much more is said by the desperate attempt to avoid, then by willfully trying to defend sinful actions.
By the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and I can attest to this personally, the past becomes revealed in an instant pertaining to things that in times past might not ever have been considered.
Rest assured, the deceiver will always tip their hand revealing things that in the natural we might not have ever considered being true. Things long buried, where there had never even been a question as to a persons truthfulness and honesty, are now revealed in an "Aha!" moment.
A hasty retreat versus acting according to rules of Christian decency and protocol is all we even need.
Essentially it is "Who told you that you were naked?"
Listen to the Voice of God, and heed the revelation of the Spirit. Working together they will go far in preserving you and the work of the Church.
That is about as "Real" as it gets!
Pastor Kevin <><
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