Tuesday, May 31, 2011

"Definitely Pay Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain (The Teaching Of The Veil)"

This is a message God gave me sometime back about "The Veil".

Smoke, mirrors, projected images, lies, deceit, false promises, violence, hatred, shiny objects. No, he definitely doesn't want you peeking behind the curtain.

Satan lives behind that curtain. It's the Veil.

2 Corinthians 3:14 (AMP) - "In fact, their minds were grown hard and calloused [they had become dull and had lost the power of understanding]; for until this present day, when the Old Testament (the old covenant) is being read, that same veil still lies [on their hearts], not being lifted [to reveal] that in Christ it is made void and done away."

The Veil. It takes many forms. In the verse we see it is religion. The devil will use even the truth of the scriptures to twist and turn a person and to keep them from finding Christ. As Paul says, even "until this present day".

Understand that the greatest usefullness of "The Veil" is to deceive people to feel that they are really decent people apart from Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (AMP) - "For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God."

Here the greatest weapon in Satan's arsenal is revealed. It has been an almost completely ignored truth in our battle against the dark forces of evil. It has become overshadowed by Ephesians 6:12, where Paul also explains that we are battling against strong evil forces and principalities in the higher supernatural spheres.

So here we are speaking to people who are deaf to what we are saying, and blind to the truth of the gospel.

The battle must first contain measures to come against the forces who utilize The Veil..

We as believers must act against The Veil. We must come against Satan in the power and authority that Christ has given us. The Veil is "preventing them from seeing". We as believers already have authority over purveyors of The Veil, therefore that should be the first focus of our attack.

Before we start trying to teach a pig to sing, which wastes your time and annoys the pig (to use and old colloquialism), we need to get The Veil out of the way. We do that by commanding the dark forces to cease and desist its operation against those we are trying to bring to Jesus.

Once the evil force has been placed on the run Jesus can be presented and when the person receives Him The Veil is dissolved.

2 Corinthians 3:16 (AMP) - "But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away."

Minions from hell are formidible opponents to the teaching of the gospel. They provide noise and chatter. Static interference which distorts the truth. When they are dismissed The Veil becomes easier to lift away because the pure message can now be heard.

Let's remember that the only true power in the universe is that of God and Jesus Christ. The devil has usurped power by artificial means. He essentially only has power because of the sinners ignorance and the Church's laziness.

If this was "rock, paper, scissors", Jesus destroys The Veil.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Monday, May 30, 2011

"Remember Always, Lest We Forget"

Luke 11:21, “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace.”

Pray for our troops today and remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so we can retain and enjoy the freedom we have.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Friday, May 27, 2011

"What Is Your Main Goal In Life?"

Even if we are not the type to set goals and target how we hope to live out our lives, we all generally have some sort of hope or dream as to how we will "finish" the life we have lived.

I can't think of a greater goal as expressed by Paul in this passage:

Acts 20:24 (AMP) - "But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God's grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy)."

Paul lived well and he finished well. Some may marvel over that because we know he lived the last few years of his life imprisoned, and even died by the executioner's sword.

That was OK by Paul. It wasn't a deal breaker. His own life meant nothing to him, but only as to how he lived and finished that life.

Paul knew what Jesus meant and he strived to live his life accordingly.

Matthew 16:25 (AMP) - "For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting]."

Only pleasing Jesus mattered. He didn't allow his flesh to get in the way.

All that matters is to live well and finish well. It's not wealth, health, or status. It's not earthly comforts or carnal pleasures.

Even in a jail cell facing execution one can look brightly at the future because it is contained in Jesus.

Few of us will finish that drastically, but we should finish with the same attitude.

It's Jesus. He has absorbed our past, fills our present, and is our hope for the future. Whatever else is contained in that for our joy and pleasure is a bonus, but all in all, Jesus is enough.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Thursday, May 26, 2011

"Love God, Hate Sin"

When I first became a believer over 25 years ago, there was a popular Christian rock song called "Love God/Hate Sin". It was a simple gospel message contained in a verse that was easy to remember.

Love God/Hate Sin.

I am reminded that according to even the laws of base human nature, we will tend to avoid the things we hate (broccoli, hard work, CSPAN, "sin"), in favor of the things we love (Cheeseburgers, baseball games, sitcoms, Jesus).

Sin versus Jesus. Which one do you love? Which one do you hate? Keeping in mind that I am speaking of the born-again believer in Jesus Christ, not the unrepentant rank sinner.

1 John 3:9 (AMP) - "No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God's nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God."

See? "No one" born of God practices or deliberately sins. Why? Because the believer hates sin and loves God. We will do what we love, not what we hate. Not only is this normal for natural man to do (as far as doing what they love), but far more normal for the supernaturally Holy Spirit endowed believer.

Before knowing God we loved to sin. Everything we did was contrary to God's nature. Sinners do what sinners do, and that is to sin. Righteous people do what they do, which are acts of rigteousness.

Don't forget, we do righteous things because we have been made righteous by the blood of Christ. We don't become righteous by doing righteous acts.

An unregerated sinner has no capacity to be righteous therefore they cannot do anything but offend God.

This is why John wrote what he did in the above verse. Seems pretty cut and dry to me. Think so?

You'd be surprised how many so-called believers will argue for their right to keep sinning in complete opposition to that verse.

Some folks want to keep one foot in their old life and enjoy the dark side, while professing to be righteous and enjoying the benefit of Jesus.

You can't be a Christian and continue your sinning ways any more than a thief can be called an honest man.

If you run with skunks you will continue to smell like a skunk.

If your desire is Jesus, that is where your heart and soul will be (Matt. 6:21).

So where is your heart and soul today? Is it in and upon Jesus? Is He your everything today?

Or have you left the door to the dark side open a bit? Do you step through it on occasion?

I hope you come to the realization that the double life is incompatible with Jesus, and it is living a life of lies.

If you are a true believer today than you will do what you love to do, and that is honor Jesus with your life. You will hate sin so fervently that you will avoid it at all costs. You will never defend it, but instead you will wage war against it and warn others about it.

John says we have a new nature, and we will act accordingly.

1 John 3:10 (AMP) - "By this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children."

My Father, who is in heaven, holy and revered are You in my life. Your Kingdom has come into my life and is present now on earth. Your will is being accomplished in my life as a matter of me choosing You over sinful darkness. Everything I have or ever will is because of You. I have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and have been translated into the Kingdom of Your Son Jesus Christ.

Be it. Live it. Be who you are, not what you were.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

"See Yourself As God Sees You"

How do you think God sees you? From what I've witnessed, it appears that there are many who either are in the dark about that, or they think God holds a dim view of them.

The body language and facial expressions are downright frightening at times. Anger. Fear. Annoyance. Pride. If I didn't actually know that deep down there was a believer in there somewhere I'd have never guessed.

Personal expression does not always tell the entire story. The facts are that God sees the believer in a way that the believer may not be able to process due to different factors and extenuating circumstances. Sometimes a person just can't receive love. Others have difficulty with issues of faith. Still others see themselves as unworthy. This doesn't mean they aren't saved, it just means they have some growing to do.

2 Corinthians 6:18 (AMP) - "And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

That's the truth. God doesn't lie.

What then has to happen to get from "not feeling it" to acknowledging this great truth and appropriating it for your own life?

God says we must separate ourselves from what we used to be, and how we used to identify ourselves. Simply put, stop associating ourselves with what we used to be, and start accepting ourselves as we are now.

You see, regardless of how you "feel", if you have become born-again, you ARE a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). This is undeniable. It is indisputable. It matters not if you "feel" it, it is a supernatural fact. Sometimes it takes a bit for our natural mind to catch up to our new supernatural spirit.

Make sense? Think of it as how Paul explains it:

Romans 12:2 (AMP) - "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]."

If you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life than the perfect will of God has been established in you. It's the best of God done in your favor. Now you need to digest and fathom it.

So...what Paul is saying here is that you have to come out from the old ways as far as your thinking goes. Your soul (mind) did not get born again, but only your spirit. Start to bring your thinking into subjection to your new reborn spirit. Paul says in verse 1 that this is "your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship."

Remember that you are a partner with God. He did not save your soul or jam Jesus down your throat against your will. You had to partner with Him. He did His part, now you have to fulfill your "reasonable" part.

Some folks do that, but they can't let go of the past too quickly. Sometimes so strongly that they still resemble what they were more than what and who they actually are.

I urge you (like Paul did) to do that. It is not becoming to a believer to act like a non-believer.

Reach out for the joy and happiness. Let the Holy Spirit get down deep into your mind, your soul, the very seat of your emotions and feelings.

1 John 3:1 (AMP) - "SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are!"

Sense the joy and exhuberance in that! AND SO WE ARE!

Yes, you are! See it. Just be it.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

"Stick With What Works"

Anything apart from the Words of Jesus are not profitable. It is His Words of Truth conveyed by the Holy Spirit into our soul and spirit which is the very essence of life itself.

John 6:63 (AMP) - "It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life."

Stick with what works.

The antagonist to this results in dismal failure. Even when we sometimes think we are speaking and acting for God.

Look at Harold Camping (again). Think he learned anything from last Saturday's embarrassing failure?

Nope. He's right back on the horse this morning recalculating and resetting the dates. He claims he was off by five months. *sigh*

I'll agree with him partially. He is "off".

Only what Jesus says matters. He tells us that anything the flesh conveys is of no benefit whatsoever. Our true benefit and profit comes directly from Jesus.

I don't know why that is not good enough for folks sometimes. It's as if there is a need to measure what Jesus says up against the really smart guys. All that does is dumb down the gospel. The "smartest" guys in the world have blown it often. The best expert in quantum physics is probably a spiritual infant. All his intricate knowledge of the physical world (physics) will not translate him to the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the long run what saves you? Niels Bohr's Copenhagen Interpretation, or Jesus Christ? Knowing and teaching quantum mechanics might put bread on your table, and it might even give you notoriety. It won't however, give you LIFE. So in the end the flesh was of no benefit, it proved unprofitable over the long haul.

I say stick. Stick with what works. Only Jesus works in the truly important matters of life.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Monday, May 23, 2011

"Now Is The Time To Stand Up Stronger"

Don't let the recent events of the weekend run you off the truth. The Church is still here. Harold was wrong (as any true believer knew beforehand).

Believers are going to face the brunt of the jokes for awhile. All Christians are lumped in together with Harold by the ignorant and uninformed. To be truthful, they didn't need Harold Camping to hate us. We are already hated just because of Jesus. He told us that because they hated Him they would also hate us (John 15:18).

Look, here's the facts. Eighty-nine dead (and rising) in Joplin, Missouri this morning due to more devastating and unprecedented tornadoes.

Jesus says:

Matthew 24:6-8 (AMP)
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place;
8 All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish].


He had questioned earlier:

Matthew 16:2-3 (AMP)
2 He replied to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,
3 And in the morning, It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a gloomy and threatening look. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

The "signs of the times" has always meant the indication of when things were winding down in this world and the second advent of Christ was near. Regardless of your personal eschatological and millenial view (rapture, no rapture, etc.), it's going to happen at some point. Some generation will be around to see it.

Could it be us? Certainly. It just wasn't going to happen last Saturday. It probably isn't going to happen in October, or in 2012 for that matter. But make no mistake about it...it is definitely GOING TO HAPPEN someday.

Don't back off that because some nutjob false prophet tried to line his pockets on the hard earned cash of the gullible. Truth is truth and Jesus is coming back. It's undeniable. It's not our job to be setting dates. It's our job to be sure we are ready whenever it happens. That means living every day like we know He is coming now.

It would make for a better present world if all the Church were to do that.

Every earthquake. Every tornado. Every hurricane. I ask God, "Soon, Lord?"

I have to be honest. There was a little part of me that was disappointed that it wasn't Saturday. I knew deep down that it wasn't going to be, if not for God not allowing it just because Harold thought he had it figured out. Lol!

But I believe God will let each one of know as the Day approaches, and that if we are tuned into Him as closely as we should be (in prayer and study of His Word), then we will be able to interpret the "signs of the times".

All I can say from my heart is that we are close. Closer than ever. Each day brings us even closer. I have a great anticipation of that Day. I hope I am around to see it.

Either way, Heaven is my home now and forever.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Friday, May 20, 2011

"One Thing For Sure...God Will Work It Out"

Do you love God today? If so, then He is working your life out with you. With you, not for you.

Even in the midst of this media storm concerning the "end of the world", and the return of Jesus Christ, God will work it out.

Romans 8:28 (AMP) - "We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose."

Maybe Harold's misled prophecy has served a purpose. Maybe God has allowed Harold to get out in front of Him so we would begin to think.

Maybe God's plan is unfolding sooner than we think and He wants us to begin thinking about it.

One thing's for sure. Say what we will about Harold Camping, but he has gotten the world to think about one of the most stable and foundational truths of the Christian faith: the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. He has it incorrect, but the incorrectness is founded upon a fundamental biblical truth.

The falseness of Harold's basic prediction (because there are other errors in it as well) is not in the possibility, but mainly in his timing.

The fact is that Jesus Christ will return someday. Even He doesn't know when that time and day is, but only God the Father knows.

Perhaps Harold has gotten us to think about that these last weeks. Perhaps God allowed that, maybe even engineered it.

Maybe God wants us to be thinking about it. There certainly have been enough unprecedented "signs" of late.

I didn't need Harold to remind me. I stay close to Jesus and His Word. Maybe most Christians didn't need it.

However, I am amazed over how many marginal and peripheral believers, and even downright anti-believers, are all of a sudden "concerned". I know people who have quit their jobs, moved to the hills, liquidated their assets, etc., and NONE of them are what we would perceive as followers of Jesus Christ!

Yup. Harold has the whole world thinking. And that might not be as bad as we think.

The believer lives as if Jesus is coming back today.

Maybe, just maybe, old Harold has served to remind us that is really the issue at heart.

Keepin' it Real and see you Sunday :)...

Pastor Kevin <><

Thursday, May 19, 2011

"God's Power Working"

What a dynamic. God's explosive "dunamis" working outward from Himself toward the world, especially those who trust Him and confidently surrender to Him.

You'd think we would see more evidence of that. Not that we aren't seeing any, but certainly not the outpouring of signs, miracles, and wonders that the early church experienced.

I think Paul's opening words in that verse is a tell.

"I am not ashamed."

As if to counter those who were/are ashamed.

Are you ashamed?

I think there are many who are. I know some personally. More than I care to. They are embarrassed, shamed, by the outbreak of God's power in their midst.

Imagine that? How far have we slipped?

Romans 1:16 (AMP) - "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

I can understand ignorance. Even fear. I don't understand shame. Not over the gospel.

The gospel is far more inclusive than just a story of what Jesus did for our salvation. The gospel also includes practical application which can be attested to by the Word.

The Word isn't for the purpose of showing us how it used to be, but what it is supposed to be.

Where did we lose that?

The personal view of scripture must change from dead letter, to living supernatural organism.

Do you shy away from the dynamic application the Word clearly shows us? Or do you plunge headlong into it without abandon OR shame?

"Personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance".

How far are you willing to go with God?


Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

"Run Out Of Gas?"

Did you become disillusioned? Allowed the cares of the world to creep in and rob you of your joy?

You're not the same. The fire has died down. The smile has not only disappeared, but it has turned into a frown. More of a scowl actually. The body language speaks pride, anger, and disapproval.

Simply put? You woke up one day and you weren't the same person. Not to God. Not to you. Not to anybody.

Something happened. It was gradual, but when it finally accumulated...wow.

Galatians 5:7 (AMP) - "You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth?"

One thing that interferes with following the Truth is to begin following a lie. You can tell who follows a lie. There won't be any fruit from it.

Is this you today?

The end of the road for this spoiler is a short one. One reaches it very quickly.

You become the person spoken of in past tense. You become a sad remembrance. A failure statistic.

"Remember when ______was so fired up and filled with the Holy Spirit power? What happened? So sad."

None of your issues and problems are bigger than Jesus. He can handle them all. Somewhere along the line some folks start to lose confidence in the Word, the Church, the pastor, the people...Jesus Himself.

Don't you be that person. The devil only wins this one if YOU allow him to.

Throw up your hands before Jesus today and just start to praise Him! Even if you look and feel stupid, just do it. Draw close to Him. Cry out to Him. Ask Him to restore you to the glory you once knew and felt.

If you have never been there then raise your arms in praise anyway! Renew yourself in Him daily. Keep the fire stoked.

Remember that there are people who really, really care about you and are suffering through this dry season with you. You probably have a pastor, friends, relatives, who have noticed and are concerned.

This is a good time for Holy Spirit humility. It's never too late to turn it around.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

"Receive This Today"

Jude 1:25 (AMP) - "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)."

This can't be improved on. It can't be spun. This is the no spin zone of the bible.

Take it or leave. Believe it or not.

Jesus has all glory and splendor, majesty, might AND dominion. ALL power AND authority.

It is now, and forever will be.

I say receive this today because Jesus turned around and gave it all to us (Luke 9:1, Matt. 10:1).

Most don't even know their inheritance. They will say it was only for the twelve and when the last of them died (John) it died with them.

How sad.

I say receive this today! Open your hearts and minds and clear out the dust and cobwebs of old tired man made theological blunder and receive the power of God!

Place a hearty AMEN! to it and get out there and start SHOWING the gospel joy to people.

Take that tired looking, craggy scowl off your face , as if serving Jesus was a chore and not a joy, and begin laying some hands on folks! Speak to them the words He gives you and reap the reward of watching lives transformed and healed right before your eyes.

Did your heart leap? Just a little?

That's the Holy Spirit confirming to you what I just said.

He's not going to lift you out of your chair and make you go. That part is up to you.

Obedience.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Monday, May 16, 2011

"Press"

Press in. Press out.

Like breathing.

In with the fresh air, out with the stale air.

In with the good thoughts, out with the bad thoughts.

In with what edifies...

Soon it is nothing but fresh, good, and edifying.

How? By willpower? Self help? Seclusion?

Simply by exposing oneself to more of Jesus. Pressing in.

Press.

When we press (purposely and purposefully seeking more of Him), we get more of Him. When we get more of Him we lose more of ourselves, as well as remaining negative elements.

Jesus makes less room for the bad stuff.

Philippians 3:12 (AMP) - "Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own."

Don't take the "not that I have now attained" as an excuse that we will never attain. That's not what Paul meant. What he meant was that we never attain the fulness, we never "arrive" at the place where we can sit back and claim we have it all. We will ALWAYS need to press. There is always more of Him to reach out for.

That's because we should be constantly in a state of flow. We give Him away as well as ourselves, so we always will need to be filled. More of Him, more Holy Spirit, more of the Father.

He fills, we give, He fills, we give......

That only happens when we spend more time with Him. We will expel what we take in. There is a tremendous amount of truth to the old adage, "garbage in, garbage out", as well as "you are what you eat".

You are the sum total of what you do and whom you choose to do it with.

Treat Jesus as a casual acquaintance and you will reflect a casual faith. Spend more time in childish worldly nonsense and endeavors, and people will never differentiate you from the rest of the world.

Acts 4:13 (AMP) - "Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools [common men with no educational advantages], they marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

That's what I'm talkin' about.

They need to see you have been with Jesus. If you haven't been, well...that's obvious too.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Thursday, May 12, 2011

"It's Not A Pretty Sight"

Ever look into someone's face who has been so radically changed by the power of darkness coming over them?

It's not a pretty sight.

I'm not speaking of something horrifically altered like spewing out pea soup while their head rotates.

I'm talking about countenance. Presence. Atmosphere. It's like looking into the eye of a violent storm when just ten minutes earlier it was bright and sunny.

It makes my spirit antenna vibrate. I just know when there has been an advancement of the gates of hell.

It's the way the prince of the power of the air works. He uses the weakness of human flesh. Pride. Avarice. He sends a argumentative, prideful, contrary spirit to those who are predisposed to not resisting.

I won't stand for it.

He goes. Not me.

James 4:7 (AMP) - "So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you."

Know who you are in Him. Know you have authority over even the most subtle attack.

Refuse to put up with it. Stifle him. Shut up his rampant babbling and interference.

Be a subject of God. Listen only to His voice. Forcefully resist and provide a concentrated assault against hell and its forces. The gates of hell shall not prevail.

You who are a child of the King have all the power at your disposal.

Remind the evil forces that they are on the losing team.

Stay strong in the struggle when it comes against you. You are already the victor.

In Christ you are MORE than a conqueror.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

"The Violent Men"

Sounds like a '60's TV drama. "The Violent Men".

I'm a violent man. I know lot's of violent men. And women too.

I've been involved in violent activity for the last 25 years. I am surrounded by violence. I am ensconced in violence. I am immersed and submerged in, and utterly consumed by violence.

It's good. It's very, very good.

Matthew 11:12 (AMP) - "And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]."

Note that it's the Kingdom of Heaven we are speaking about here.

Never more than ever before have I seized most violently the prize of my NOW and PRESENT share of Heaven.

Measure that up against the popular thought of simply sitting back and waiting to die to get it.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz..........

Is it any wonder why so many folks just endure church?

From the days of John the Baptist until now.

There's the backward telescope again. Then was then and now is now.

Wrong. Then is now as well.

Let me explain.

The Greek word for "now" is "arti". "Arti" means the present now, but it also means the future now. It's a curious word for sure.

The Eternal Now is the best way I can describe it. Heaven is avaliable now and forever for those who SEIZE it.

People will commit violence to obtain far less than Heaven. They will commit murder for sneakers, gold chains, and drugs. All which will deteriorate and disintegrate within short time.

Violence is violence, good or bad, it's taking something you want desperately by force.

You could hurt others by being violent, or hurt yourself by not being violent enough.

How much more violent should we be to obtain the eternal Kingdom which Jesus has established as the here and now and forever for the children of God?

In other words, it's the ONE most precious thing above all other things that we should not allow anyone or anything to interfere with or prevent us from obtaining.

Your violence should be against the spiritual forces in high places that have waged war against you since birth.

Your violence should be against poor theology and the anti-gospel thinking that keeps people sedated with fancy words and blinded by stacks of thick books.

Your violence should be the rejection of self-proclaimed watchers who point the finger at everyone as heretics...except themselves.

Listen to the Word of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are simple and unfailing. Don't overthink it. Don't analyze it.

Study it. Absorb it.

Seize it!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

"Those WERE The Days?"

Really.

I know we all have memories of the past. We like to reminisce when we see old friends and gather with family. It tells the story of our past and keeps the fabric of our lives intact. It's normal to do that. It's not normal to want to revert there and do it over again. It indicates that things are not so good in the present.

If you think the past is better than the present than something is amiss.

Thomas Wolfe wrote a book entitled "You Can't Go Home Again".

Even Jesus said a prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown.

There is something about building on a foundation which was laid before us that we are to build upon, not stay stagnant or revert back to.

Never is that more true than when we examine the Gospel of Jesus Christ to which we are called to.

Many Christians find themselves victims of cessasionistic reasoning. They view the Word as looking through the wrong end of a telescope into times past, which offers nothing more than some sort of far removed comfort about how God works.

If there is no faith, hope, or understanding about God contnuing that work, where is the comfort? It lies in whiteknuckling this life until we "get to heaven".

At the risk of redundancy, let me mention again what Jesus tells us.

John 14:12 (AMP) - "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."

There's a lot of hope in that verse. Also...

John 14:13-14 (AMP) - "And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son. (14) [Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM].

There's a whole lot of asking going on, but not a whole lot of believing that it will actually be done.

People have trouble believing something they can't wrap their hands around.

Forget your hands, that's the flesh. Wrap your faith around it.

I can't believe the amount of internet mumbo-jumbo, by self-proclaimed scholars trying to debunk those who are actually believing what God's Word proclaims. There are people who actually waste time and expense trying to convince the unsuspecting to not listen to what their pastors and churches are teaching and believe them instead. This is how cessasionism rolls. False prophets calling others false prophets. People like that and their disciples will kill a church. The prophets will always be persecuted.

How about this...

...believe the Word of God.

I'm not talking about something cryptic that makes us scratch our heads, I'm talking about the simple truths of Jesus Christ, put down simply, and simple to understand and obey.

Stop looking at the Word of God as something that is meant to reach across the span of time in concept only.

The Word of God is alive. It's supernatural. It is meant to feed and encourage a supernatural Church. Jesus says that when we actually do what He tells us in the verses this morning that it actually glorifies God!

My friends, get this deep down in your spirit today...

THESE are THE days! Be a part of them!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Monday, May 9, 2011

"The Power Of Christ Compels You"

I remember standing in line at a movie theater in Manhattan in 1973. I was 20 years old and waiting to get in to see the much hyped and talked about movie, "The Exorcist". It was rumored that strange spiritual manifestations were occurring even in the lines of people waiting to get in. Hundreds of people were being turned away. There was definitely a "buzz" surrounding this Hollywood exploitation of "good versus evil".

I sat through it. Yeah, it was scary. No one had ever done up the special effects like this before, yet there was an underlying truth attached to the film, exposing some of the ways the devil operates in people's lives. The imagery was startling, and there were elements that would stick with me long after I would come to know Jesus some 13 years later.

Funny thing. Out of everything that movie offered in graphic imagery and rumored subliminal messaging, there was one scene that always stuck with me, even now as then. One line that was repeated over and over again.

"The power of Christ compels you."

For some reason I seemed to believe that was true. I still believe it today.

In fact, I believe that if the power of Christ does not compel you, then something is wrong with your relationship with Him.

If you are compelled to do other things, which will often bring you to remorse and sorrow, then the power of Christ has not been allowed to work.

2 Corinthians 5:14 (AMP) - "For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died."

The love of Christ. Strong enough to vanquish the most evil. Strong enough to compel us to live for and follow Him.

It's not a magic spell. It's not a force that works against our own free will. It's simply a spiritual power that works in tandem with our surrender of our stubborn will to His enveloping love.

It's love that keeps the gospel alive and moving forward through the centuries. It becomes a great compulsion. We are so filled that we cannot help but share it. Impelled. Compelled. Moved. Energized.

If you have Christ in you, and His love moves you to do His will in this world, then you are compelled.

It's the power of Christ flowing through you and it will not be quieted, supressed, or silenced.


Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Friday, May 6, 2011

"The Long Shadow Of Death"

Death can cast a long shadow. The very idea of it, the impending threat of it always lurking in the background
can reduce the toughest person to a worry driven basket case.

If we allow it.

"Yea, although I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil."

Your choice.

No bravery or bravado on our part. The ability to even tramp through the territory of death is because of Jesus.

"Your rod and staff comfort me."

I like to envision that as fulfilled in the Cross. On the Cross Jesus conquered death.

So as the shadow of death casts it's shadow in front of me as I walk through it's territory, there is no fear because Jesus has already fought that battle for me.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Thursday, May 5, 2011

"These Long Distance Relationships Never Work Out"

He's "up there". I'm "down here". What's the dynamic? Jesus must have EZ Pass. An eternal mass transit ticket. Does He commute? Jesus a cosmic straphanger?

Mark 16:19-20 (AMP) - "(19) So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. (20) And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it)."

He was taken up to heaven, yet He continued to work with the apostles.

They were taking on the brand new role of being the "Body of Christ". They kept operating as normal. Signs and wonders kept flowing. They knew it was right and proper as Jesus "confirmed" what they were doing.

They preached. They healed. They cast out demons. They got people saved, healed, and delivered. Sozo flowed.

We are in a long line of apostolic succession. If you are a believer then the same confirmation will rest upon your obedience to carry out the task of a disciple.

It's what we do.

Hopefully.

People more than ever need to see a tangible evidence of a Living Jesus. The evidence of spending time with Jesus is His confirmation and anointing over, within, and upon us, and is what makes our story credible.

What makes you credible and set apart from the JW or Mormon who shows up at your door? Jesus confirms what you are saying accompanied by a tangible anointing to speak His Word and move in His power.

Some don't have it. Some have it and don't recognize it. Some don't believe it. Some are afraid of it.

One thing is certain and that is if we are going to call ourselves bible believing Christians, we need to grab hold of it.

In my opinion, and I will not be swayed or convinced otherwise, we have two choices ultimately.

One is that we can be the believer in the following verse:

Mark 16:14 (AMP)
"Afterward He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart."

OR...we can be the disciples He has declared us to be:

Mark 16:17 (AMP)
"And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe...".

NOTHING has changed.

The question is whether we believe Jesus is as involved as if He was "here" instead of "there".

Under the Open Heaven, with the access being immediate and real, with us as His Body acting in unison to show the glory of God, the Church will fulfill what Jesus declared.

John 14:12 (AMP) - "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."

Without the steadfast belief in Him and His desire and ability, it just isn't going to happen.

We must SHOW the world Jesus by doing what a disciple does. Motivated by His love, moving in the power of His name, the gates of hell do not advance.


Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

"When Exactly Was It Your Hopes And Dreams Turned To Dust?"

I'm not sure when that happened. Somewhere between youthful bliss and early adulthood life took a nasty downward turn.

The Edenic expectations that remain buried somewhere deep in our subconscious and built into some strand of our DNA, were at some point vanquished by a dose of present reality.

"Welcome to your birthright son. Oh yeah, your first ancestors really screwed it up for you, so try and do the best you can."

There is enough inherent memory from ancient days gone by that let us realize that we were destined for something greater from our origins. However, something went radically wrong.

Genesis 3:24 (AMP)
"So [God] drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep and guard the way to the tree of life."

Ouch. Bad boy Adam. You and your wife could screw up a free lunch. In fact, you did.

It hurt then, it still hurts today. Look around you. The effects are stark and vivid. The common man's greatest pleasure comes from an insignificant angry religious zealot being shot in the head in some place the majority of us never even heard of. If that floats your boat, if that made your week, it is the startling testimony of a sick and demented world going more crazy day by day.

I am convinced more and more as my life winds along, that the smartest and most important decision of my life was when I connected to Jesus Christ in a real and purposeful manner. I was going under for the third time. I needed a lifeline. I was hopeless. I was dead, and didn't even have the sense to lay down. It was Jesus who changed that.

1 Corinthians 15:45 (AMP) - "Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life]."

That's what He did. He reboots and upgrades the software. He's the Life Giving Spirit that blows sustenance back into those who are destined to follow the path of Adam. He is known as the "Second Adam", or, the "Last Adam".

He restores. He reverses the curses. He has opened the Gates of Life for those of us who turn to Him. We aren't humiliated anymore. We aren't evictees from the Kingdom of Heaven. We have full access. We are the King's Kids with a big backyard to roam around in. In the midst of maniacs trying to kill us, storms ravaging every corner of the globe, sickness, disease, and pestilence, rising gas prices, political unrest and uncertainty, people taking the gas pipe to oblivion...we...somehow...find peace, joy, love, and a fervor for sharing it. It may not be the physical planet God had planned for us...yet. But, it is a restoration to the spiritual life He desired for us.

I am a friend of Jesus and a son of God. He meets me anytime I want to spend time with Him, which is often.

He is the only reason to live. He is my hope and dreams restored. I am a child again. No cares. No worry. No anxiety. No stress.

My Daddy will take care of it.

Do you have that assurance in your life today?

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

"Is There Room For You To Receive?"

Acts 2:17 (AMP) - "And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions (divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams."

I'm not sure how all believers see this verse. I think sometimes that people interpret it as a far off yet to be fullfilled prophecy.

When Joel prophesied it in the OT it was a future promise. When Peter preached it in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, it was beginning to be fulfilled.

Acts 2:16 (AMP) - "But [instead] this is [the beginning of] what was spoken through the prophet Joel."

I believe that verse 17 has already been fulfilled. Believers, whether men or women, young or old, should be operating in the gifts already provided to them by the Holy Spirit concerning receiving from God fresh revelations, visions, prophecies, and even divinely inspired dreams. Notice that Peter declares it on the very day that The Holy Spirit was poured out in His fullness upon the Church.

You won't be a recipient if you are not empty enough to be filled. Those ten days in the upper room in prayer got the 120 to a place of emptying so they could receive what God was going to refill.

He is "pouring out" His Spirit upon all mankind. Obviously not all of mankind will receive it. I can understand that, and I can even live with that.

What I can't live with are believers who reject what God has declared beneficial to His Church.

You will not receive if you are filled with something else.

The Spirit of God has to be received in spirit. This is not a work of the flesh. It is your flesh that rejects it and refuses to be filled. You will NEVER be spoken to by God in dreams, visions, prophecies, or revelations, if the room for them are taken up by a stiff-necked, contrary, and argumentative carnal nature.

I don't do well with people like that. We clash. If we clash there is no harmony. That means "dis"-harmony. Disharmony will always prevent God from doing great things in people and through the Church.

I need to hear from people who hear from God, just like people need to hear from me when I hear from God. It's a spiritual life cycle. It's God's way of protecting His Church. He is not interested in us furthering our agenda with what "we" believe, He desires vessels who are willing to be emptied and refilled with HIS agenda.

I believe we are getting into crunch time. I don't have patience for, nor the inclination to listen to, self opiniated reasonings, and flesh oriented declarations. The people who gain my ear these days are the ones who I believe are spending time listening to and hearing from God. I know who they are, and who they are not. My spirit antennae is up and receiving loud and clear.

We all should be practicing this, and it only comes by spending time with God. You have to take time and get in the presence of Jesus and have conversation. Loosen up. Learn to receive. You can't be a good receiver if you are bent upon always sending.

Come Lord! Pour it out upon us and in us. Speak Your Words of Truth and Wisdom into us, so that we can in turn edify and encourage the Church. Break us down. Build us up. Teach us to be the people of the vision of Joel.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Monday, May 2, 2011

"Before You Get Too Carried Away..."

Bin Laden is dead. That is good news today. Any time the face of evil is vanquished it is a good thing.



Proverbs 11:10 (AMP) - "When it goes well with the [uncompromisingly] righteous, the city rejoices, but when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy."



I would suggest that we rest in the brief victory over evil and then move on.



Only a REPRESENTATIVE of evil is gone. Evil itself still flourishes.



Our battle is in the spirit. Until Jesus has Satan chained and disposed of evil will continuously display itself in every conceivable fashion.



Many people will sigh in relief this morning thinking that the death of Bin Laden will be some magic balm applied to all of the evil in the world.



How quickly will people forget that it was never about Bin Laden in the first place. In fact, I believe the devil uses pawns like Bin Laden to occupy the attention of people while even more heinous and dispicable work continues around the globe.



Remember what Paul wrote?



Ephesians 6:12 (AMP) - "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere."



Bin Laden, Hitler, Stalin, Manson, etc. They come and go. Cheap knockoffs of the true evil behind it all.



Don't get me wrong. My heart rejoiced a bit this morning when I heard the news. I remember what he did 11 years ago. It's good that he's gone.



I look forward to the day that the bible encourages us with:



1 Thessalonians 4:16 (AMP) - "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God."



Until then, we adhere to the words of Jesus, and we continue to advance the Kingdom.



Matthew 16:18 (AMP) - "...I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]."



The Bin Laden's will come and go. There will never be a shortage of people to do the will and beckoning of Satan himself. Enjoy these brief and momentary victories of the flesh over these satanic disciples, but never rest. We must continue to advance Heaven against the gates of Hell itself. Never let the enemy be comfortable and gain a foothold. Be vigilant in the spirit because ultimately this battle is spiritual.



God bless the United States of America. God bless the men and women who fight to protect us. We thank you and pray for you for your vigilance in bringing to justice those who seek to interrupt and destroy our freedom.



Keepin' it Real,



Pastor Kevin <><