"On The Other Side."

There's always an "other side". When you are "here", you could always be "there". Here, there, or anywhere, wherever you look, there you are.

Where are you?

Those of us in pastoral leadership often see where you are better than you do. If it is true that "wherever you look, there you are", then that's all you generally see. The disinterested, almost annoyed looks. The blank stares. It's called "countenance". Your countenance is your greatest tool of evangelism. You never even have to open your mouth and people know you have been with Jesus.

If I see poor countenance, then I see what every other person sees, and I also see a greater chance of failure when the storm strikes.

People, even believers, seldom look to where they could (or should) be. The world (in or out of the Church) is often content to just be where they are. Good or bad.

Have you considered the deeper meaning of the storm at sea?

Mark 4:35 - "Let us pass over to the other side."

Jesus wanted to take the disciples to the "other side".

The "other side" is not just the other side of the lake.

It's where life is.

He wants to take you to the other side.

Or the "next level."

There are object lessons that He will allow or even orchestrate in your life to shake us out of our doldrums.

In the case of the disciples it was a horrendous mind shaking storm in a little boat on a big sea. Yes, it scared the wits out of them. It was designed that way. Jesus wanted to show them Jesus, and how short they were from being anything like Him.

We connect with the compassionate, loving, merciful, kind, beautiful Jesus. That's fine, but if you do not connect with the total Jesus there is a risk you will stagnate into a touchy-feely love bunny and never gain the toughness to face up against the evil of the world, or even the everyday storms of life.

Sometimes you have to be a warrior and stand up. This is what Jesus was trying to show them.

Mark 4:40 - "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?"

Yes, exactly how is that?

It's because the disciples, were not paying attention to what was going on around them as they walked with Jesus. They didn't hear Him. They existed on the excitement of one miracle and sign after another, never really understanding that Jesus was expecting them to be just like Him. They ignored His constant reminders that He was going to have to leave them. He even told them flat out that He was going to have to die, resurrect, and ascend back to His Father. They remained woefully unprepared.

You've sat in church long enough. You've heard all the messages. You've prayed. Read the Word. Got ministered to.

Haven't you?

So...where are you?


Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

"Do You Struggle To Think Like Jesus?"

Struggling to think like Jesus. That's a tough question attached to that. I think the struggle is more in trying than actually being.

Paul didn't say anything about trying. He said to "allow" it, or to simply "have" it. That changes things doesn't it?

Face it, God is not going to twist your arm to have the mind and capacity of His Son. The Word also says we would do greater works, signs, and miracles than Jesus did. If believers were believing that I think we'd be seeing a whole different world out there.

Have it, or don't have it. God prefers that you would have it.

Philippians 2:5 (KJV) - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

Paul declares it, and some translations state it as if we already do. I think that's true, which brings us to the place of understanding what makes a true believer.

I used to work with an older fellow many years ago. I was a union shop steward at the time, and we were discussing laziness, motivation, etc. He told me something that stuck with me ever since. He said, "A true performer will always perform."

I have been able to successfully translate that for the Church.

"A true believer will always believe."

To be a true believer one has to think like Jesus. This is not something learned. This is something infused.

Have it. Let it. Allow it.

The marginal and immature may resist it and therefore stay weak and compromised in their faith.

A true believer will grab hold and say "give me more!"

We need the mind of Christ today. National and world news is shaking even the Church and causing some to become weaker.

Recall today the weakness of the disciples as a storm raged around them (Mark 4:38-40). They fearfully engaged Jesus in His sound slumber and asked Him, "Don't you care that we are about to perish?"

Jesus replies, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Wow. Change of mindset needed.

How about your mindset today as earthquakes and tornadoes ravage the world?

What's in your head? How are you thinking?

Be honest with yourself before God. If you come up short allow Jesus to change your mind to His mind.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

"Who Found Who?"

"Thank goodness I found the Lord!"

No you didn't.

He was never lost. You were.

Luke 19:10 (AMP) - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost."

It's His business to do that. It's what He's about. It's what He does.

You never had to go looking for Him. He was always right there. He had already died for you. He had already purchased you. He was waiting for you to agree.

You never had to look past your own nose to find Him. He already had you on His GPS. He was thinking about YOU when He bled out on the cross.

He knew exactly where to go to find you. He knows exactly where you are.

You can run, but you can't hide.

You found Him? Sorry, but no. I realize it wrecks a few popular Southern Gospel songs, but bad theology is just bad theology.

Truth is Truth.

Jesus had an agenda. You were on it. It has been completed.

I'm glad He never gave up on me.

He hasn't given up on you.

"Here I am Lord!"

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

"Thank goodness I found the Lord!"

No you didn't.

He was never lost. You were.

Luke 19:10 (AMP) - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost."

It's His business to do that. It's what He's about. It's what He does.

You never had to go looking for Him. He was always right there. He had already died for you. He had already purchased you. He was waiting for you to agree.

You never had to look past your own nose to find Him. He already had you on His GPS. He was thinking about YOU when He bled out on the cross.

He knew exactly where to go to find you. He knows exactly where you are.

You can run, but you can't hide.

You found Him? Sorry, but no. I realize it wrecks a few popular Southern Gospel songs, but bad theology is just bad theology. 

Truth is Truth. 

Jesus had an agenda. You were on it. It has been completed.

I'm glad He never gave up on me.

He hasn't given up on you.

"Here I am Lord!"

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

"You Get A Lot More Than You Bargained For"

Praise God for Jesus, and His plan to use Him for our freedom from the sin problem! Standing on that alone, it is so worth our turning to Him in faith and confession. We would all be doomed to hell if not for Jesus.


And yet...it doesn't end there. I know there are some who think it does, but it doesn't.


You get a lot more from what Jesus went through than being forgiven for sin. I say this not to trivialize the sin issue, but to simply make sure the whole redemption plan is revealed.


Hebrews 7:25 (AMP) - "Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them."


The Greek word for "saved" in this verse is "SOZO". We've visited this word in other writings of mine, but it truly needs to be mentioned here. SOZO is also the same word used in various scriptures for "Healing" as well as "Deliverance". To be Sozo'd, means to be "Saved, Healed, and Delivered"!


I don't know about you, but it makes me go WOW!


"Uttermost" speaks for itself. It means "completely". So Jesus saved us completely, wholly, entirely, out of the entire condition of sin, sickness, disease, addiction, demonic possession, etc.


Check this out:


Matthew 8:16-17 (AMP) - "16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a word and restored to health all who were sick. 17 And thus He fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, He Himself took [in order to carry away] our weaknesses and infirmities and bore away our diseases."


Did you catch that? "Thus He fulfilled". It's all right here:


Isaiah 53:4-5 (AMP) - "4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole."


To be honest, I was raised up in my early born-again experience to believe that He only died for sin. I wasn't able to see complete "healing in the atonement" until I stumbled across Matthew's passage. There is the NT corroboration of the OT text.


It is indisputable. He saves not only from sin, but also from the effects of sin. If He is truly the "second Adam", as Paul refers to Him, than it makes perfect sense that He would reverse the curse of the first Adam.


You get a lot more than you bargained for!


Not only the above, but also an ongoing intercession between us and the Father! This is sort of like a spiritual tech support.


Jesus is committed to never let you fail! Know that your sicknesses, infirmities, and addictions can be dealt with in Him. He died for it. Shouldn't you take full advantage?


Jesus never fails. Spiritually, physically, mentally, morally, you don't have to either!


Keepin' it Real,


Pastor Kevin 

"People Need A Vision"

I'm not talking about a life plan. I'm talking about seeing or hearing something that makes Christ alive to them.

Luke 24:23 (AMP) - "...and they returned saying that they had [even] seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive!"

Whatever it takes. Angels, signs, wonders, miracles...

...even you.

The most convincing method that we find in the Bible, when God wanted to impart anything into our midst, is the object lesson of Jesus. Pre or post-resurrection.

When does one presume that stopped? What don't we get about Jesus sending back "Another", the Holy Spirit, Who would comfort and assist us?

So the vision we need does not happen with a planning session (no more than revival does by the way). It's not that kind of vision.

The kind of vision we need happens when we open our eyes. 

Luke 24:31 (AMP) - "When their eyes were [instantly] opened and they [clearly] recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly)."

We will see Him when we have the capacity to see. We will have visions when we show the Lord we want them.

John 20:13 (AMP) - "...they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."

That was Mary Magdalene lamenting not being able to see Jesus. All the while it was Him she was talking to.

You can sit in church for 50 years and never see Jesus. Your heart is closed. The veil is thick over your eyes. You are there because of religion. Your stiffneckedness will not allow you to respond to the gospel for anything. You only see the tip of your own nose.

You must crave His voice. Listen for His leading. Be wide-eyed for the work He continues to do right within your midst.

The people being healed...that's Jesus. The renewed and transformed lives that are happening in front of you...that's Jesus. The deliverance of the mind from mental difficulties...that's Jesus. 

He is all over you and around you and you will miss it in the name of your religion. Admit it. Religion has cost you in the long run. At the very least it has not advanced you. 

Open up every part and parcel of yourself to Jesus. As much and often as it takes, speak to Him and let Him know that you are all in! You want it all! 

Make up your mind today to do a giant freefall into the arms of Jesus!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

"People Need A Vision"

I'm not talking about a life plan. I'm talking about seeing or hearing something that makes Christ alive to them.

Luke 24:23 (AMP) - "...and they returned saying that they had [even] seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive!"

Whatever it takes. Angels, signs, wonders, miracles...

...even you.

The most convincing method that we find in the Bible, when God wanted to impart anything into our midst, is the object lesson of Jesus. Pre or post-resurrection.

When does one presume that stopped? What don't we get about Jesus sending back "Another", the Holy Spirit, Who would comfort and assist us?

So the vision we need does not happen with a planning session (no more than revival does by the way). It's not that kind of vision.

The kind of vision we need happens when we open our eyes. 

Luke 24:31 (AMP) - "When their eyes were [instantly] opened and they [clearly] recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly)."

We will see Him when we have the capacity to see. We will have visions when we show the Lord we want them.

John 20:13 (AMP) - "...they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."

That was Mary Magdalene lamenting not being able to see Jesus. All the while it was Him she was talking to.

You can sit in church for 50 years and never see Jesus. Your heart is closed. The veil is thick over your eyes. You are there because of religion. Your stiffneckedness will not allow you to respond to the gospel for anything. You only see the tip of your own nose.

You must crave His voice. Listen for His leading. Be wide-eyed for the work He continues to do right within your midst.

The people being healed...that's Jesus. The renewed and transformed lives that are happening in front of you...that's Jesus. The deliverance of the mind from mental difficulties...that's Jesus. 

He is all over you and around you and you will miss it in the name of your religion. Admit it. Religion has cost you in the long run. At the very least it has not advanced you. 

Open up every part and parcel of yourself to Jesus. As much and often as it takes, speak to Him and let Him know that you are all in! You want it all! 

Make up your mind today to do a giant freefall into the arms of Jesus!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

"Ground Zero"

The Cross. Strategically placed in the midst of all of humanity. Everyone can see it. The ground is level all around it.

It knows no discrimination. It has effected everyone who has ever lived from that fateful day forward.

It is God's Ground Zero for the love bomb He set off.

Look at it or not. Believe it or not. Trust it or not. Accept it or not.

Whether you know it or not, the Cross of Jesus Christ has changed your life.

On the continuum of time and eternity, it is the most essential event in all of world history.

Because of the Cross, and what Jesus did upon it, the declaration of God's love for the human race has been announced. It was a one time event. It will never be repeated. It was once for all. It is all inclusive. 

It is worthy of all of our consideration and attention. It deserves our adoration and meditations. It is the Glory of God extended to us and demands it be returned in fullness of our love.

It is saving. It is healing. It is delivering.

Galatians 6:14 (AMP) - "But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!"

Keepin' it Real (and nailed with Him),

Pastor Kevin <><

"Do You Really Want Bar-abbas?"

Bar-abbas. Barabbas. Translated "son of fathers". Of course we are talking about more than the historical Barabbas this morning.

"Son of fathers" (which is what prostitutes named their illegitimate children), versus "The Son of The Father", Jesus Christ.

It's always been a choice, hasn't it?

Who do we want set free.

Mark 15:15 (AMP) - "So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, set Barabbas free for them; and after having Jesus whipped, he handed [Him] over to be crucified."

Jesus often loses out to the satisfaction of carnal desire. After all, Barabbas is the happy go lucky party animal fun guy. Isn't he?

Can we fathom a crowd clamoring for the likes of Barabbas over our sweet Jesus?

Just open your eyes and look around you. Bad decisions being made moment by moment. The love and peace and truth of Jesus being traded on the open market of daily living. Even the devil is caught by surprise at times (do you really want me to crucify Him?). Are you really going to pick that beautiful blond over Jesus? That handsome hunk of muscle? I often perceive the devil as looming in the background thinking, "Wow. That was so easy."

Choices. Good Son/Bad son. It is staggering how many choose the wrong son. Yes, Barabbas is still popular. It's no longer flesh and blood. Barabbas is simply the ugly choice. Murder over life. Filth over purity. Weakness over power.

The spirit of Barabbas is alive and well and is overwhelmingly popular. Insurrection over Resurrection.

This carnal (flesh centered) church moves and operates on the waves of one religious holiday after the next. Even today some folks are celebrating something called "Maundy Thursday" (from the Latin "mandatum"). A feast type celebration concerning Jesus giving a command (mandate) to His disciples on the eve of His impending crucifixion. All Jesus said was "Love one another."  Should we turn that into some sort of yearly celebration of self-exalting piety? Or should we just love one another the other 364 days as well? I'm not a fan of feast days of religious holidays. They bring out the (best?) of a person one day a year and slowly declines incrementally every day after. Stop smoking or eating chocolate for 40 days a year and you too can be just like Jesus battling the devil in the desert! Really.

Sometimes you just have to go "arghh!"

I'll say this. Barabbas will always be a bad choice. He will stink up your home (inner Spirit dwelling place) and soil your sheets. He never showers and he will eat all your food. My dry humorous way of saying HE (IT) WILL CONSUME YOU!

Jesus is the literal breath of fresh air. He will do your inner home so good that it will show up on the outside.

The death of self and the crucifixion of the flesh is the deposing of Barabbas and the seating of King Jesus on His throne.

Once you do that it will make you wonder how you ever allowed it any other way.

Contrary to what you might be thinking or feeling of late, we win this thing. 

Give us Jesus!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

"Why?"

There is a passive indifference to Jesus for the most part, rather than a seething hatred or demonstrative anger. At least that's so here in America where governments still cling to a tattered shred of what used to be religious freedom. Not so in some foreign nations.

In any event, what's the deal? Have you ever contemplated why the very name of Jesus causes so much controversy?

Mark 15:14 (AMP) - "But Pilate said to them, Why? What has He done that is evil? But they shouted with all their might all the more, Crucify Him [at once]!"

I mean, why? Even Pilate, who had a penchant for cruelty, was stunned by the level of hatred and anger being poured out against a seemingly harmless and meek man.

"What has He done that is evil?"

The evil asking the evil to commiserate over evil.

In the meantime Jesus stands in their midst, the spotless Lamb of God. One who had never hurt anyone, who only had the best interest of humanity at the center of His purpose.

People who claimed to speak for and represent His Father were screaming for Him to be crucified. Not as a Savior for mankind's sin, but as a common criminal accused of not being religious enough.

And if we think we have no need to examine ourselves, and our belief systems we have attached ourselves to, we are gravely mistaken.

We might just find that we have blurred the line that separates religious observation and good works and intentions from the Truth. Don't forget, they thought they were doing a good thing for God by killing Jesus. We might think we are doing the same thing all the while systematically replacing The Way, The Truth, and The Life with a dulled concept.

The Conceptual Jesus allows for aberrations and cheap knockoffs to be done "under" His name. The Real Jesus settles for nothing less than total devotion and Power from Heaven "IN" His Name.

I know Power from Heaven. I also know cheap grace and nonsense.

I choose Power from Heaven manifested in the midst of us through His Presence. Salvation. Healing. Deliverance.

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

"Crucify Him"

That was the cry. The general consensus. The people wanted their way. Politics, religion, simple mob frenzy.

Mark 15:13 (AMP) - "And they shouted back again, Crucify Him!"

They got their way.

Thank God.

Because they crucified Jesus a new cry, a new intent, a new petition to God is able to be shouted.

"Crucify ME!"

All that is ever going to be done to provide for our spiritual nourishment has already been done. There are no more saviors, no more sacrifices.  Jesus is it.

The question now is what are we going to do with it?

Can't get angry at God anymore. There's nothing to demand. Can't kill His Son again.

The human race is out of options. We can only strike out at each other now.

Or...

...Crucify Me!

No, not actually, with wood and nails and blood and stuff.

By accepting, instead of kicking against, what Jesus did for us.

When we do that it becomes..."I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live" (Gal. 2:20).

He died so that we could die too. Die to our old person. The way we were. Sinful. Useless. Posioned. Corrupt.

Where we become resurrected with Him also. Alive. Perfected. Forgiven. Righteous.

What did you think He was doing bleeding out on that piece of wood?

He was making a way for you.

Why not take it?

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><

"They Still Don't Know What To Do With Jesus"

Jesus is a very popular person. Love, hate, or indifference, He's pretty well known among most circles.

Most folks just don't know what to do with Him.

It's been that way for some time. Alive, dead, resurrected, ascended, it's been a real problem for the world.

Mark 15:12 (AMP) - "And again Pilate said to them, Then what shall I do with the Man Whom you call the King of the Jews?"

No problem for me. I've made my choice. Some folks worry about the stigma attached with following Jesus. I can understand that. They crucified Him. What will they do to you?

Well, since I've been crucified with Him (Gal. 2:20), I don't have to worry about it. Neither will you. I assure you that you will not feel the nails.

Bill Johnson says that most people secretly want to believe in Jesus. I agree with that. Even the most vocal against Him might be shielding a desire to want to understand Him, or even be just like Him.

Why not? He encompasses everything the world is not and exactly what they need.

Who wouldn't want to embrace Him?

That's our task. Present Him. He doesn't need a lot of introduction, and He certainly needs no PR spin.

Come on...you're a disciple of the most famous Person in all of human history. He is the Creator of all things. He is the proactive Healer of all sickness and disease. He is the One who will prosper us even in these trying economic times.

You don't have to "sell" Jesus. You merely have to present Him.

This is a great week to do that. He is already on their minds.

The Holy Spirit takes care of the rest. 

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><