Monday, December 31, 2012

Time Rolls On


Time rolls on. It waits for no one. Not Princes and Popes.

Not the noted or the notorious. Not you and me.

It will not pause one hour. Not one minute. Not one second.

It will not even slow down just long enough for us to catch a breath.

It rolls and it rolls hard.

It will roll on tonight. At just a blink past Midnight the calendar will change. A new year.

We like to think something magical happens.

Wouldn't it be nice if we really did have a clean and fresh start?

If we had bills at one second before 2010 we would no longer have them one second after.

If we were ill... If we were unhappy... If we were out of God's grace...

That's the one we should be concerned about ultimately. Being out of God's grace.

No one knows the date and time, but there is coming a day when Jesus returns and rearranges the furniture.

In a moment. In the blink of an eye, at the sound of a heavenly trumpet, at the parting of the clouds and the breaking of the plane of heaven, all of earth will see Him return.

What will be your first thought about the God who has not lived by our clocks and calendars, but who has only been concerned with His creation? Who has left us with a clear set of explanations, warnings, and instructions. Not to mention a Real Presence of His Holy Spirit. The God whom many have ignored, slandered, and yes...even crucified.

What will you think? 

Will it be, "Oops?" Or perhaps, "Wow, Kevin Lynch was right after all!" Or, "I'm sure it will all be OK if I just say I'm sorry!".

Happy New Year.

It stands to reason that at least for tonight nothing will happen.

Rich or poor, sick or healthy, brilliant or dull witted, time will roll on and you will face tomorrow the same way. 

We learn no great lesson by the tick of a clocks second hand. Unless we understand there is no break in the action.

Some of you will make your resolutions. Overwhelmingly most of you will break them within days.

More importantly we should be concerned about God's time. 

On the continuum it is unlike how we tick off the moments and days.

He will be ready when He is ready. 

Psalm 75:2 - "When the proper time has come [for executing My judgments], I will judge uprightly [says the Lord]."

The proper time. Fair and equitable for all. Never based on a whim, but completely upon how we have responded to Him, the Prime Mover of all that is.

I don't know when that is. If I was God it would have been a long time ago. I am glad He is patient.

I, like James and John before me, would have asked Him to call down fire and brimstone long ago.

I would offend the offenders. I would be the Dean Wormer of the Universe and mete out advice like "Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son." ZAP!

No, even if we don't know when the "proper" time will be, one thing we can be sure of.

We can't be sure the banks will not fail. We can't be sure the health care system will run right. We can't be sure the housing market will stabilize.

We can be sure that one minute before and as many minutes after until He comes back, Jesus Christ is the lover of our souls.

That is the one sure thing in the universe today and it will be tomorrow.

Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages)."

He is the constant. The sun has a better chance of going dim than Jesus has of not loving us.

Take that into the New year with you tonight. It's the best news you'll hear. I'll guarantee it.

Be safe. Be renewed. Be happy.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com

Friday, December 28, 2012

Living A Cliche


I wonder if all who were involved in the making of the movie "Jerry Maguire" realized that the sum total of the picture would boil down to being remembered for basically two lines.

One line was "Show me the money!"

The other was "You complete me."

These are the lines that snag our heart and soul.

How many water cooler conversations have included the words, "I can't believe she used that 'you complete me' line." Or, how many underpaid workers have waited for the day when their boss would say "What's it going to take to keep you working for me?", so they could reply, "Show me the money!".

You know life has become a cliche when you start throwing around famous movie lines therapeutically.

We start to actually think that our lives can be improved in some way by using what "worked" in a Hollywood movie.

If that were the case then Hollywood would be the role model of stability.

We love to search for what we can become rather than trying to simply be who we are.

Be who you are. Only perfected.

James 1:4 - "And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Perfect and complete. It's the way God wants us.

Did I mention lacking in nothing?

James says it all flows from steadfastness.

He also says that steadfastness come from tests and trials like we looked at yesterday.

When we are tested and we survive, we become more firm and steady, more rooted , less easily swayed and shaken.

We want the "full effect" lest our trials be in vain.

It's bad enough we have to suffer a bit in life, but when those tests of suffering produce nothing but a cycle of pain, it's no picnic.

The kind of perfection and completeness that James is insinuating is not superficial, but heart and soul changing.

It's much more tempting to stay the same no matter how bad things are.

The trade off is to lack everything, from knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, down to the base necessities of good health and financial stability.

I much more prefer to be moving toward completeness in Him.

Steady. Firm. Solid. Real.

You can get there from here.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Becoming


Those who know me well understand that I am not a fan of making resolutions during the popular time of the year to do that. 

New Years has become almost a pagan festival of change in behavior. People will resolve to lose weight, stop drinking, stop smoking, be a better anything one can become better at...etc.

Two weeks into the resolution they had been so passionate about changing they are folded up like a wet noodle, and more saddened and depressed because now they have an added failure to the list.

I don't do resolutions in the classic sense. I have learned to stop swearing to "do" or "be" something, and instead strive to "become" something.

There is a difference.

Take these examples from Jesus.

This one on marriage:

Matthew 19:5 - "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh".

On the turn of a word the entire success or failure of a marriage can rise and fall on whether a couple actually "becomes as of one flesh", or simply just goes through the motion of trying to mimic that and "do" marriage. When a couple "becomes" the marriage and are absorbed into each other the marriage is a bond that is unbreakable and lasting.

How about this one:

Matthew 18:3 - "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus is not saying we need to "act" like children, which would mean to "do" childlike things. He is saying we need to "become" like children, to take on the persona, the trusting nature of a child. To "do" would be to pretend. He wants us to "become".

One more:

Matthew 19:28 - "Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, in the new age [the Messianic rebirth of the world], when the Son of Man shall sit down on the throne of His glory, you who have [become My disciples, sided with My party and] followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel."

Jesus is describing the reward of discipleship. It was reserved for those who had actually "become" His disciples, not those who claimed to "be".  Remember the words of Jesus when He slices through the separation of the posers from the truehearts. "Many of you will say "Lord, Lord...".  Saying doesn't necessarily translate over as "becoming".

Simply put, the declaration of the voice needs to be first established in the heart.

Posers don't make it. Fakes don't make it. Liars don't make it. Jesus sees through them like an X-Ray.

Those of us who "become" make it. We become His disciples. We become the Living Stones in the foundation of His Church. We become Fishers of Men.

We become His. We belong to Jesus.

Resolve to become, and don't present a cheap knockoff.

Happy New Year!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Next Up:2013


Christmas is over. At least as far as the once a year folks go. The benefits of Christmas for the believer is every day.

There's is a new task at hand.

What's happening as far as changes for 2013?

Not that 1/1/2013 is really more than just another day, but it does represent newness.

Uh...it is called "New Year".

It's up to you if it will be a Happy New Year.

I don't believe in making resolutions, but one can still be "resolved".

I am believing there are great and fantastic changes ahead for me, my family, and for my church.

I believe that because that's what I believe I am hearing from the Spirit of God.

Sounds funny, huh?

Well, who or what are you hearing from? What are you basing your entrance into a new chapter of life upon?

Or are you going into a New Year based on a hopeless and dreadful past year?

If you are don't expect anything to change.

The newness of anything is based directly upon the newness and freshness of the Holy Spirit activated in your life daily.

How's that not going to church, avoiding bible study, not praying, not sowing and reaping, lacking in fellowship thingy working out for ya'?

Matt 9:16-17 - "But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results. Nor do {men} put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out, and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."

There's a new wine being poured out. Are you going to have it poured into your old dilapidated and used wineskin?

The litmus test is in your attitude toward the New Year. Are you hoping or expecting?

I am EXPECTING 2013 to be far better and greater than 2012!

Keepin' the outlook for 2013 fresh and Real,

Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com

Monday, December 24, 2012

No Jesus, No Peace


I know. The title today is part of a popular bumper sticker. The full version says:

"No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace.

It's clever.

It's also one of the most truest statements you'll ever read.

The gist of what I preached on yesterday bears repeating.

I asked a couple of questions in my message, but the major one was "where is all this peace Jesus was supposed to bring to earth?" I mean, He IS the "Prince of Peace", is He not?

A simple reading of a verse from Luke and the popular Christmas Story should solve it.

Let's look at the King James Version first.

Luke 2:14 (KJV) - Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Next is the Amplified Version.

Luke 2:14 (AMP) - Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].

Let's try the ESV.

Luke 2:14 (ESV)  - “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The KJV has provided the Christmas card sentiments for decades. It doesn't ptovide the full meaning. It has leas the world, even believers, to think that a blanket of peace was going to come and envelop the world, and all the wars would cease, all the anger, all the harsh jealousies would melt away because of a Prince of Peace being born 2,000 years ago.

Well, here we are. I don't know about you, but in my community 28 people perished in a wanton act of violence.

Not the poster for good will toward men. Or women. Or children.

So...where is it? This "preace and good will", I mean.

It's here. You just have to read the full truth of what the angels actually said and meant.

They never said it was a blanket peace. A rampant round of backslapping good will meant for all of the world for century upon century. If it was, than we never would have had to have the Prince of Peace become the Lamb of God. The cute Baby in the stable would never have to become the bruised and battered Savior on the cross.

Now, go back and read the AMP version, and the ESV. Contained within is the proper rendition from the original languages.

There is peace on earth alright. Good will toward men too. It's given to those whom "God is pleased" with.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh...

Makes sense now, doesn't it?

For me, I have that peace. I have that good will toward others. Even in the midst of horror, war, and tragedy. So do you if God is pleased with you, which comes only when we accept the bruised and battered Lamb of God.

It has to be that way. Jesus was born and died for it to be that way. The angels testified to it. Two years after Jesus was bron there was a slaughter of innocents when Herod killed all the babies two and and under to try to get Jesus.

How's your Christmas so far? Rattled and shaken by local and world events? Can't sleep? On meds? A nervous wreck? Life ain't going as YOU planned it would?

Or are you at PERFECT PEACE that only comes when you can lay your head down on your pillow at night and KNOW that God is pleased with you?

Opt for the latter. I've been on both sides. I like sleeping soundly with a clear soul and spirit.

You will too.

Be at peace in the name of Jesus.

No Jesus, No Peace.

KNOW JESUS, KNOW PEACE!

Merry Christmas!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Twelve Days Of Christmas


I thought it would be nice to publish this today. What is
traditionally a popular Christmas song, it may well have been created
as a sort of Christian "code" written during a time when there was not
a lot of freedom to express one's faith in Christ.

In any event, it is an encouraging meaning to a song that never made a
whole lot of sense anyway. Now it might actually mean something to
you!

The 12 Days of Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas refer to the twelve day period that starts
with Christmas day and ends on Epiphany (6th January). The song
begins, On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... The
'true love' was meant to represent God, the true love of the world.
The 'me' in the carol is the Christian man or woman who receives these
presents. The meanings given to the 12 Days are:

The 'partridge in a pear tree' is Jesus who died on the cross. In
ancient times a partridge was often used as mythological symbol of a
divine, sacred king.

The 'two turtle doves' are the Old and New Testaments of the Bible -
another gift from God. Doves also symbolize peace.

The 'three French hens' are faith, hope and love - the three gifts of
the Holy Spirit. (See 1 Corinthians 13 ). The French hens can also
represent God the Father, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

The 'four calling birds' are the four Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible.

The 'five golden rings' are the first five books of the Bible also
called the Pentateuch, the Books of Moses or the Torah.

The 'six geese a-laying' are the six days of creation.

The 'seven swans a swimming' are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
(See 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4:10-11)

The 'eight maids a milking' are the eight beatitudes, Jesus' teachings
on happiness. (See Matthew 5:3-10)

The 'nine ladies dancing' are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. (See
Galatians 5:22)

The 'ten lords a-leaping' are the Ten Commandments in the Bible. (See Exodus 20)

The 'eleven pipers piping' are the eleven faithful disciples of Jesus .

The 'twelve drummers drumming' were the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed .

I hope you enjoyed it, and perhaps it will help you to sing it with a
new fervor!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Accept No Substitute


There's the fake light, and there's the Real Light.

One is a masquerade, the other is Reality.

Accept no substitute.

John 1:9 (AMP) - "There it was—the true Light [was then] coming into the world [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person." 

The Genuine, 100%, Perfected, Rock Solid...LIGHT!

Yeah, that's Him. The little Guy in the makeshift crib.

They may have had to clear out a few half eaten corn cobs, and needed to fluff it up with hay, but it worked. Fit for a King. Literally.

Who'd of thought the Creator would come to us as the Created? 

Who'd of thought a King would lower Himself to such a wretched standard and actually want to rub shoulders with the likes of us?

The Light Who Lights up all of us.

All of us.

Some can't take their eyes off the Light and they embrace Him.

Others put on their shades and hide in the shadows.

What do you do?

A woman in my church said to me that anything that is good about herself is because of Jesus.

Yeah, that's it. Amen!

Celebrate the Light, Jesus Christ. He illuminates us. 

He IS THE goodness of the world. He is the Reason for this season and every season!

Keepin' it Real (and truly Lit Up and Sparkling),

Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

So What's The Real Point Of Christmas Anyway?


Seriously. Does anyone ever actually stop in the midst of all this craziness many call "The Holidays" to ponder what it is all about? I mean, what is the point? If you call this a "holiday", then there ought to be a holiday away from the holiday!

Sometimes we need to stray away from the familiar gospel accounts of Christmas.

Sometimes we need to be good students and dig a little deeper in the plans and purposes of God. It will help us understand why the Christmas we may be seeing played out in front of us is in reality for the most part a fake.

Here's what Paul says:

Galatians 4:4-5 (AMP) - "(4) But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law, (5) To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God's sons]."

God works within the parameters of what He deems "the proper time". This goes all the way back to the Old Testament. He says there are times, or "seasons", to live, to die, to reap, to sow, etc.

So God is an orderly God. I wonder what He thinks of rampant commercialism surrounding His Son's celebration?

Jesus came to earth by the conventional, biological, legal and normal way.

Why He came is not so conventional.

He came to die. That's was the price of our freedom from sin.

Our sin. His blood. Hardly seems fair. I made the mess. He straightened it out. Now that's Merry Christmas!

Keepin' it heavenly peaceful (and real),

Pastor Kevin <><
www.reallifect.com