I think a lot of times the devil comes against us using such normal, everyday means that we fail to recognize his fingerprints. Many times his attacks are not big blows that knock you off your feet, but little jabs that don't feel too bad until you have taken a few of them back to back on a regular basis.
This week after facing a few of these jabs on a regular basis it just hit me that Satan is trying to discourage and distract me. As you know, our church is presently on a 21 day fast right now and I don't think our enemy is too happy about it. When you mix prayer up with fasting, Satan gets rattled. He goes on the offense and you have to be ready to take his jabs. Jesus said that some devils only come out by prayer and fasting. I really believe that there are places in our lives and in our families where demonic spirits get entrenched or gain a stronghold. This is when we as believers must apply prayer and fasting...it's the one sure response that gets the devil's attention.
When Satan fights back, this is where some believers back down. Again, many times he uses such normal, everyday trials that we don't recognize that we are fighting a spiritual battle against a demonic foe. But as Paul reminds us in Ephesians, are battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Recognize the enemy for who he is and fight him with spiritual weapons.
Have a good worship day tomorrow. Go to God's house hungry and ready to receive. I promise you won't leave disappointed.
-Pastor Randy
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Does God Favor One Team Over Another?
Will the team that wins the NCAA National Football Championship tonight depend on whom God favors? Does God really have a favorite in any kind of competition? Does God get involved in sporting events?
Florida's quarterback tonight, Tim Tebow, is not only known for his great running and passing, but he is also known for his excellent character off the field and he is the son of a missionary couple serving in the Philippines. So does this mean that God will surely favor Florida to win the game tonight?
A lot of people often ponder and discuss such questions. And yes, being a sports fan and a teacher of the bible, I have often been asked these questions. Here are my answers.
Yes, I absolutely am convinced and there is a ton of scripture to back that God definitely blesses and favors His children (people who walk in obedience in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ). Psalm 37:4 reads "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Philippians 4:13 states, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
However, we also know in scripture that our failures, losses, and weaknesses make us stronger. Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 12:9 and 10, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." In other words, Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God is saying that it's not all about winning. That some of our greatest strides, blessings, and victories in life comes through losing, failing, or defeats.
So does God favor one team over another? The answer is God is at work in the lives of the individuals involved in the contests and not just during the contest itself, but before and afterwards. So I do think that God is more interested in working in the lives of the individuals than who outscores who. Nonetheless, I do believe that there are times when God intervenes to help a team or an organization succeed or fail just like He does individuals. It just depends on what He wants to accomplish through the team's defeat or their victory. I think scripture teaches us that God always has a bigger picture in mind than we do and He is always at work in the affairs of man to get the glory that He deserves.
So who will win tonight between Florida and Oklahoma? I don't know, but God does and only God knows why. Enjoy the game!
-Pastor
Florida's quarterback tonight, Tim Tebow, is not only known for his great running and passing, but he is also known for his excellent character off the field and he is the son of a missionary couple serving in the Philippines. So does this mean that God will surely favor Florida to win the game tonight?
A lot of people often ponder and discuss such questions. And yes, being a sports fan and a teacher of the bible, I have often been asked these questions. Here are my answers.
Yes, I absolutely am convinced and there is a ton of scripture to back that God definitely blesses and favors His children (people who walk in obedience in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ). Psalm 37:4 reads "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Philippians 4:13 states, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
However, we also know in scripture that our failures, losses, and weaknesses make us stronger. Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 12:9 and 10, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." In other words, Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God is saying that it's not all about winning. That some of our greatest strides, blessings, and victories in life comes through losing, failing, or defeats.
So does God favor one team over another? The answer is God is at work in the lives of the individuals involved in the contests and not just during the contest itself, but before and afterwards. So I do think that God is more interested in working in the lives of the individuals than who outscores who. Nonetheless, I do believe that there are times when God intervenes to help a team or an organization succeed or fail just like He does individuals. It just depends on what He wants to accomplish through the team's defeat or their victory. I think scripture teaches us that God always has a bigger picture in mind than we do and He is always at work in the affairs of man to get the glory that He deserves.
So who will win tonight between Florida and Oklahoma? I don't know, but God does and only God knows why. Enjoy the game!
-Pastor
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
KP Updates
Greetings everyone! I trust you are having a good day. Just some quick talking points:
21 Day Prayer & Fast - As of tomorrow, we will have one week behind us. If you have failed and eaten when you weren't supposed too, don't beat yourself up...just start over again. Lets not make our fasting something legalistic. God will bless and honor your prayer and fasting, even when we get weak and give in.
KP Food Bank - We are starting a FOOD BANK for needy families and widows in the church. Right now, we need some shelving. We have some, but we need some more strong, heavy duty shelving. If you have some that you would like to donate, please call the church or contact Tonya Garnica.
Preaching Through the Bible in 2009 - please join us by reading through the bible this year. I will be ministering in Genesis, chapters 12 thru 25 this Sunday and in Matthew 5-9 Sunday evening. Cds and dvds are available at the hospitality desk each Sunday for only $5.00. I will preaching out of the Old Testament on Sunday mornings, and New Testament on Sunday evenings. We also will be putting together a CD album which will contain all of the '09 preaching through the bible messages.
Anna Hilton - please remember Sister Anna in your prayers. She has some heart problems along with some sinus headaches.
Cells - All of our cells start back this week after the holiday break. If you are not in a cell you are missing out on an opportunity to grow in God's Word and and in fellowship with other believers. Please call the church office for cell or small group information.
Have a wonderful day!
-Pastor
21 Day Prayer & Fast - As of tomorrow, we will have one week behind us. If you have failed and eaten when you weren't supposed too, don't beat yourself up...just start over again. Lets not make our fasting something legalistic. God will bless and honor your prayer and fasting, even when we get weak and give in.
KP Food Bank - We are starting a FOOD BANK for needy families and widows in the church. Right now, we need some shelving. We have some, but we need some more strong, heavy duty shelving. If you have some that you would like to donate, please call the church or contact Tonya Garnica.
Preaching Through the Bible in 2009 - please join us by reading through the bible this year. I will be ministering in Genesis, chapters 12 thru 25 this Sunday and in Matthew 5-9 Sunday evening. Cds and dvds are available at the hospitality desk each Sunday for only $5.00. I will preaching out of the Old Testament on Sunday mornings, and New Testament on Sunday evenings. We also will be putting together a CD album which will contain all of the '09 preaching through the bible messages.
Anna Hilton - please remember Sister Anna in your prayers. She has some heart problems along with some sinus headaches.
Cells - All of our cells start back this week after the holiday break. If you are not in a cell you are missing out on an opportunity to grow in God's Word and and in fellowship with other believers. Please call the church office for cell or small group information.
Have a wonderful day!
-Pastor
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Bless Israel and God will Bless Us
Please remember Israel today as you pray. Have you ever thought about what people in Israel are facing every day when the awake? What if the Canadian government were sending over about 100 missiles a today into Michigan? How long do you think the United States would put up with that? Not very long, by the second day we would be retaliating with our planes. Yet, Israel has endured these missile firings for months doing property damage, while injuring and killing scores of their citizens.
Now the world is telling Israel that you must sign a peace treaty with Hamas (Palestinian militants). That would be like the U.S. signing a peace treaty with the Taliban. Hamas is sponsored by Iranian terrorists and the Iranian government. Hamas is actually an extended terrorist organization of Iran for the sole purpose of terrorizing and destroying Israel.
We are commanded in the scriptures to pray for peace in Jerusalem. But real peace will be only brought about when the world lets Israel take care of their business by taking care of their enemies. This is not a commentary, just a reminder that according to Genesis 12 whoever blesses Israel...God will bless. We as Americans, we as disciples of Christ want and need Almighty God's blessings. We must bless Israel by praying for her and standing with her as a nation and as Christians. Please join me in praying and fasting for Israel.
-Pastor Randy
Now the world is telling Israel that you must sign a peace treaty with Hamas (Palestinian militants). That would be like the U.S. signing a peace treaty with the Taliban. Hamas is sponsored by Iranian terrorists and the Iranian government. Hamas is actually an extended terrorist organization of Iran for the sole purpose of terrorizing and destroying Israel.
We are commanded in the scriptures to pray for peace in Jerusalem. But real peace will be only brought about when the world lets Israel take care of their business by taking care of their enemies. This is not a commentary, just a reminder that according to Genesis 12 whoever blesses Israel...God will bless. We as Americans, we as disciples of Christ want and need Almighty God's blessings. We must bless Israel by praying for her and standing with her as a nation and as Christians. Please join me in praying and fasting for Israel.
-Pastor Randy
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Sunday Wrap Up
Top Ten Reasons Why This Was a Great Sunday (in no particular order)
#10 - My voice was a little higher this week and I felt about 75 per cent better!
#9 - Good weather(no snow!)
#8 - Great testimony by Chris McBeath
#7 - You can always tell when our church is praying and fasting...presence of God greater in our services.
#6 - "Preaching through the Bible" series...good systematic study of God's Word!
#5 - Good altar service this morning. Our church corporately has received a greater revelation of the cross of Christ over the years!
#4 - I started a study through the book "The Remnant" this morning for young men in our church that are called to preach. Excellent class!
#3 - Uplifting testimonies tonight in the service.
#2 - Great testimony and message by Brother Tim Orr tonight!
#1 - Great fellowship today before and after services...always good!
Have a great week everyone!
-Pastor Randy
#10 - My voice was a little higher this week and I felt about 75 per cent better!
#9 - Good weather(no snow!)
#8 - Great testimony by Chris McBeath
#7 - You can always tell when our church is praying and fasting...presence of God greater in our services.
#6 - "Preaching through the Bible" series...good systematic study of God's Word!
#5 - Good altar service this morning. Our church corporately has received a greater revelation of the cross of Christ over the years!
#4 - I started a study through the book "The Remnant" this morning for young men in our church that are called to preach. Excellent class!
#3 - Uplifting testimonies tonight in the service.
#2 - Great testimony and message by Brother Tim Orr tonight!
#1 - Great fellowship today before and after services...always good!
Have a great week everyone!
-Pastor Randy
Friday, January 2, 2009
Preaching through Bible in 2009
Well, we have began our 21 day fast. I hope you will participate with us. It is not too late to start. You could start by fasting one meal tomorrow or possibly fasting the morning and afternoon until around 4 to 5 pm tomorrow before breaking your fast. You could do a vegetable and fruit fast tomorrow. Please try to fast and pray with us. God will bless you greatly as well as your family and church.
This year I will be preaching through God's Word during the Sunday services. I deeply feel God's leading this year to begin in Genesis and preach through the Bible. We will be offering DVD's containing both the message and the power point presentations. I sincerely believe that this yearlong emphasis will elevate the importance of God's Word and will also help our KP worshippers understand and appreciate God's Word more. We will be going through the Old Testament on Sunday morning and the New Testament on Sunday evening. Please come prepared to enter in and study God's Word along with us.
- Pastor Randy
This year I will be preaching through God's Word during the Sunday services. I deeply feel God's leading this year to begin in Genesis and preach through the Bible. We will be offering DVD's containing both the message and the power point presentations. I sincerely believe that this yearlong emphasis will elevate the importance of God's Word and will also help our KP worshippers understand and appreciate God's Word more. We will be going through the Old Testament on Sunday morning and the New Testament on Sunday evening. Please come prepared to enter in and study God's Word along with us.
- Pastor Randy
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year everyone! Well, here we go again. Another year that God has given us...to serve Him and others. My prayer for you is that this will be a most prosperous year in serving Him and in serving others!
What did you do last night at midnight? Were you in bed or did you stay up and watch the ball drop? I was in my lazy boy and watched the ball drop. It dropped like all the rest before it...not too exciting. However, I'm glad to see a new year. I'm glad God lets us start all over again after 365. That's certainly enough days for one year(366 on the Leap). I like fresh starts and I need fresh starts. Matter of fact, fresh starts are good for everyone. Enjoy yours today and the days ahead!
I started my year in God's Word this morning. This year I am using a one year bible reading from Biblegate.com. I use this website quite a bit. I like to use on line bible reading programs because I like to take scriptures of note and insert them in a word document as I go. A lot of times I will go back to these scriptures and God will speak to me and sometimes Sunday messages or blog articles are birthed. And sometimes it's just a word from God for me.
Well, I hope you have a great January 1. Thanks so much for reading the blog today and every day that you take time to read it. I appreciate it. Many of you have been praying for my dad. He is doing well. He came home from the nursing home yesterday. He even walked in the house from the car. God has really blessed our family this year with touching dad like He has. He has had some rough times and some close calls. But overall, God has really blessed him and our family!
Also, as I close, I know that Chris McBeath is thankful to what God has done for his dad this week. Like we had prayed Sunday, God heard our prayer and brought him out of his coma and he received Christ. Praise the Lord! We will continue to pray for his complete healing. God is so gracious!
-Pastor Randy
What did you do last night at midnight? Were you in bed or did you stay up and watch the ball drop? I was in my lazy boy and watched the ball drop. It dropped like all the rest before it...not too exciting. However, I'm glad to see a new year. I'm glad God lets us start all over again after 365. That's certainly enough days for one year(366 on the Leap). I like fresh starts and I need fresh starts. Matter of fact, fresh starts are good for everyone. Enjoy yours today and the days ahead!
I started my year in God's Word this morning. This year I am using a one year bible reading from Biblegate.com. I use this website quite a bit. I like to use on line bible reading programs because I like to take scriptures of note and insert them in a word document as I go. A lot of times I will go back to these scriptures and God will speak to me and sometimes Sunday messages or blog articles are birthed. And sometimes it's just a word from God for me.
Well, I hope you have a great January 1. Thanks so much for reading the blog today and every day that you take time to read it. I appreciate it. Many of you have been praying for my dad. He is doing well. He came home from the nursing home yesterday. He even walked in the house from the car. God has really blessed our family this year with touching dad like He has. He has had some rough times and some close calls. But overall, God has really blessed him and our family!
Also, as I close, I know that Chris McBeath is thankful to what God has done for his dad this week. Like we had prayed Sunday, God heard our prayer and brought him out of his coma and he received Christ. Praise the Lord! We will continue to pray for his complete healing. God is so gracious!
-Pastor Randy
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