Wednesday, September 10, 2008
FIREPROOF
I've taken a few weeks off from writing as life has been crazy busy but I wanted to get back to it by sharing info about an important movie that is coming out this month called FIREPROOF.
It's from the creators of Facing the Giants and I've inserted a widget below so you can view the movie trailer and other information and help spread the word!
For those who are married - whether your marriage is going very well or you're going through a tough season, I want to encourage you to see this movie and encourage others to do the same.
Check out the information and you'll see what I mean and then help spread the word and get as many people, especially married couples, even those who have started the divorce process, to go see this movie!!
I'll be praying that God will use this movie as a tool to strengthen and rebuild marriages and ultimately bring Glory to Him.
If you have problems hearing the audio through the widget, you may need to pause the audio on the playlist Tunes which is on the right side of your screen toward the bottom of the side bar.
All the best!
Your Brother and Servant,
rlk
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Unforgiveness
You see, unforgiveness has a lot of negative impact on people such as: it steals our joy and even more important it also is contrary to the teachings of The Word of God. It also cheapens the sacrifice He made for you and I when it comes down to it. He first loved and forgave you so in turn you and I need to really work on forgiving others. Now, this doesn’t me we need to “jump back into the snake pit” as they say because sometimes trust takes time but it does mean we are to forgive those, yes even those who “bite” us.
I wanted to share the below devotion with you that is a powerful reminder of unforgiveness and forgiveness.
But before I do, let me share some parting words: I can only imagine the hurt and pain you’ve been through at the hands of others whom you loved and trusted, let me encourage you to forgive them because even if the relationship isn’t back to 100%, you need to begin to heal from the wounds and if you can’t forgive, you won’t totally heal until you do nor can you fully honor God in your life until you do. Seek God, pray hard and give it some thought and God will help see you through!
Your Brother,
rlk
_______________________________________
Unforgiveness
By Pastor James MacDonald
"Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors . . . For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-16
We're on one topic today and we're not getting off it till I'm sure you get it.
Nothing will cut a swath of devastation across your soul like unforgiveness. It is the absolute opposite of the life God calls you to live.
I know someone has hurt you and I'm sincerely sorry for that but you don't have to prove you were right.
You don't have to demonstrate the superiority of anything.
You've got to let it go.
Matthew 6:14-15 says, "If you don't forgive, my Father
won't forgive you."
Living in unforgiveness is a barren, tortured existence. Even those of us who have experienced God's love and forgiveness need to be reminded about what we have received. It's so easy to slide into a self-centered mess of unforgiveness.
Contrary to what some might think, unforgiveness isn't private. People will seethe in silence, insisting, This is just between me and him. But that's not true. It's also destructive to innocent people around you. How many people in your life have suffered because of an unforgiveness issue in your heart that has absolutely nothing to do with them? It seeps into the tone of all your conversations. It leaks out in your impertinence and impatience, your short temper and rashness. People who you love, who have done nothing wrong, suffer because of the unforgiveness that you're holding over someone else.
Unforgiveness is sin. It will eat away at your being until you choose the crisis and commit to the process of forgiveness. But that can all change.
This could be an awesome day--you have the choice to change. You have the chance to choose. I wonder if heaven is leaning over you and wondering what choice you are going to make. Your destiny depends on it.
To clarify, you are not saved by forgiving, but forgiving is what saved people do. This is one of the litmus tests for reality. Making the choice to forgive is one of the things that prove you truly belong to God.
Father, it must grieve Your heart even more than ours to live in such a dark world where people say things and do things that wound so deeply. But by Your grace I can forgive. I can simply release the pain to You and let it go. I choose by an act of my will to trust You and Your Word. I'm not going to hold it over the person who hurt me anymore when I have to see him or talk to him. I'm not going to go over it in my mind anymore. I want to handle it as You would. I want to be a forgiving person.
Forgive me for my pride, my anger, and the pointed comments that reveal the woundedness in my heart. Cover me with Your love. Let Your grace displace all that is ugly and angry and unforgiving in me. By Your grace, I choose to forgive.
In His name. Amen.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
A Journey of Grace
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” ~Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” ~Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)
“And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NASB)
Who do you think that I am?: https://www.gty.org/library/Articles/A335
Steps to Peace With God: http://www.billygraham.org/assets/media/specialsections/touchonelife/Printer-FriendlyStepstoPeacewithGod.pdf
Or feel free to contact me as well via the e-Mail address in my "About Page"
God Bless,
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Happy 4th of July!
Here's a cool video/song from Mark Schultz that will help us all the more get our minds around the 4th of July from Independence day in 1776 to today where brave men and women continue to fight for our freedom and have in many world wars and conflicts around the world.
No matter what country you live in, as a Christian you can thank God for your own Independence Day where He broke the chains of sin in your life when you came to know Him as your Savior for the first time. Since that day, your Independence day, you now celebrate your Dependence on Him as well and each day you can celebrate and thank Him for all these things as you seek Him!
Click on the following video or link to see and listen to this song:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=665ce8623e36bd4e3c7c
Friday, June 20, 2008
ITEMinistries!
This is an important ministry that is making an impact for the kingdom as eduction of pastors and church leaders is a vital part of sound Biblical Doctrine, Teaching, and Conduct in the Church and abroad.
Below is a video overview of ITEMinistries (International Training and Equipping Ministries)
Please take a few moments to view the video and then go to the ITEM web site. There is a lot of great information about what God is doing through ITEM provided on the site.
Please remember ITEM and Dr. Van Horn in prayers as well!
Thanks!
RLK
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Spiritual Vitamins
Spiritual Vitamins
By Unknown
Anxious? Take Vitamin A.
All things work together for good for those who love God, who are
called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)
Blue? Take Vitamin B.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy
name. (Ps 103:1)
Crushed? Take Vitamin C.
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:7)
Depressed? Take Vitamin D.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
Empty? Take Vitamin E.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give
thanks to him, bless his name. (Ps 100:4)
Fearful? Take Vitamin F.
Fear not, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God.
(Isa 41:10)
Greedy? Take Vitamin G.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will be put unto your lap; for the
measure you give will be the measure you get back. (Lk 6:38)
Hesitant? Take Vitamin H.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who
announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who
says to Zion, "Your God reigns." (Isa 52:7)
Insecure? Take Vitamin I.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
Jittery? Take Vitamin J.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Heb 13:8)
Know nothing? Take Vitamin K.
Know this that the Lord is God, it is He that made us and not we
ourselves. (Ps 100:3)
Lonely? Take Vitamin L.
Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Mt 28:20)
Mortgaged? Take Vitamin M.
My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor 12:9)
Nervous? Take Vitamin N.
Never, no never will I leave you nor forsake you. (Heb 13:5)
Overwhelmed? Take Vitamin O.
Overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:21)
Perplexed or puzzled? Take Vitamin P.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let
your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (Jn 14:27)
Quitting? Take Vitamin Q.
Quit you like men and women, be strong. (1 Cor 16:13)
Restless? Take Vitamin R.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Ps 37:7)
Scared? Take Vitamin S.
Stay with me, and do not be afraid; for the one who seeks my life seeks your life; you will be safe
with me. (1 Sam 22:23)
Tired? Take Vitamin T.
Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40:31)
Uncertain? Take Vitamin U.
Understand that I am (the Lord). Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
(Isa 43:10)
Vain? Take Vitamin V.
Vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. (Acts 5:16)
Wondering what to do? Take Vitamin W.
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with
your God? (Mic 6:8)
eXhausted? Take Vitamin X.
Exercise thyself rather unto godliness. (1 Tim 4:7)
Yearning for hope? Take Vitamin Y.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you art with me;
your rod and your staff - they comfort me. (Ps 23:4)
Zapped? Take Vitamin Z.
Zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:14)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Who I am Makes a Difference!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
7.8 Magnitude Earthquake in China.
My heart cries out for these people who have suffered under the weight of the rubble as rescuers search for them, and those who are suffering the loss of their loved ones and for those who have lost their lives.
Please pray for them!
I’ve also learned that Medical Teams International is currently working to send over a half millions pounds of supplies to help them and they’re working with Boeing to deliver the supplies via several new planes that they are already planning to delivery to China. Please pray that this effort will be successful and help support them as God leads!
I’m reminded of the following scripture and will direct my prayers that those who are directly impacted by this disaster will be comforted by Him.
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains
quake with their surging.”
~Psalm 46:1-3
Again, I will pray that God will comfort them during this devastating time and I'll especially pray that they would come to a personal relationship with the Him. May the Body of Christ be there to minister to the hurting and share His love while meeting the physical needs!
I wanted to share a few pictures that once you see them, I believe you’ll be moved to prayer as I have been. Please note: These images may be disturbing but they are also the reality of what has happened and what is occurring due to the Earthquake. Thanks for your prayers. Please see the below.
Please join me in prayer!
Humbled in Christ,
rlk
A boy is rescued from the debris of a collapsed building after an earthquake in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province May 13, 2008. [Agencies]
Bodies of many of the victims. [Agencies]
Several young children trapped in the rubble. Note the IV attached to one of them onthe left. Some apparently are alive while some sadly are not. [Agencies]
Young Man trapped in the rubble. [Agencies]
Young Boy receiving medical attention. [Agencies]
The Remnants of what was once a building. [Agencies]
Please pray!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
New Features!
Here's what I've added:
Monday, May 12, 2008
Prince Caspian!
For more information, be sure to see the below Prince Caspian Interactive widget! Or, You can click on the following link for the official web site! http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Laminin
The speaker, Louie Giglio, speaks of an amazing scientific truth regarding the cell adhesion protein molecule “laminin”. Which is the “glue” that holds our cells together. It is described as the rebar of the human body—it holds us all together. Louie uses it as an awesome illustration of a Biblical truth.
There is more I could share here after viewing this but you'll just have to watch the video as I don't want to give away the message. It is worth the watch!
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
~Colossians 1:15-17 (NASB)
"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well."
~Psalm 139:14 (NASB)
Here is a diagram of Laminin:
Isn’t that amazing!
You may also want to do a Google image search using the term laminin and you'll also find some amazing pictures in outer space of pictures taken of a black hole by the Hubble Telescope.
God is Amazing and may you be encouraged today at God's mighty hand as He alone holds all things together!
God Bless,
rlk
Monday, April 14, 2008
Supporting Each Other
The Word:
Read: Exodus 17:8-16
"Supporting Each Other." By Randolph Koch
If you've ever been through a tough time in your life, you've probably come to know the importance of the support you were most likely given from a friend, a family member, your pastor, or someone from your church. The support may have been given through prayers, a supportive or loving word, a meal, or many other ways. It ministers to you in ways that words cannot describe. It's humbling to receive support from others and goes a long way to help heal the wounds of the battles of life.
We can see an example of the importance of supporting each other through the example of Moses during a battle against the Amalekite's. He went to the top of a hill, which was a vantage point overlooking the battle. As he moved up the hill, Joshua and the army were sent to war against the enemy. Moses, with staff in hand, stood and raised his hands. As he raised his hands, Israel prevailed. Then there was a point where he became weary and had to rest but while his hands were lowered the Amalekite's prevailed. Moses needed support, and who wouldn't after having their arms raised for such a long time while a battle raged on. Aaron and Hur came to help him in his time of need. They placed a stone beneath Him so we could sit instead of stand. Then they supported his arms so Moses could hold his hands up. With their help, Aaron on one side and Hur on the other side, his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Israel won the battle. Moses received the support he needed to get him through. The Lord told Moses to write down the experience of the day's war, and how the Lord led them to victory in a book so it could be relayed to others. Then Moses built and altar and named it "the Lord is my banner." What a day it was and what a support plan it was that God unfolded for us to learn from. Without the Lord, Israel and Moses would not have prevailed. Furthermore, with out the two men coming to Moses' aid, he wouldn't have made it through the whole day. Likewise, we cannot make it with out the Lord. It seems that in today’s world, we tend to believe we can do it all alone because we think ourselves to be self-sufficient and honestly we're trained to think this way. Many times our schools, businesses, the movies we see, and many other avenues train us to believe this is a totally healthy and necessary trait, (at times it's true that we have to be somewhat self-sufficient), but we desperately need each other. We can go way to far, and many do, with the self-sufficiency idea. Starting from our homes on into the rest of the world we need to be counter culture, especially in this area. We need to trust the Lord and receive the comfort He and others give us. We weren't created to be in this life alone. We in fact, were created to live and work for the Lord, to have an eternal relationship with Him, and to live and fellowship amongst other believers and of course the world. The Lord is our main source of strength - so don't be afraid to seek His support. Furthermore, it’s crucial to have support from the Lord and other believers. In other words, accept their support. Then as life unfolds and you travel from one storm to another you may begin keeping a log or a journal just to write down all of things God has done for you during your times of need (and what people have done). So you'll remember and be encouraged, especially when rough waters hit. This will be a great reference tool for you so you'll be reminded of His goodness when we tend to forget it in the middle of the trial. Memorialize all that God does and has done to bring you through. Review this list from time to time to refresh your memory and to add to it so you'll be encouraged for years to come. This is also something that you may be able to share with others or pass down to testify of the amazing love that the Lord and others have no matter the situation. Along the way, don't forget to thank the Lord and others for what they've done for you.
No matter what the time or season let us be willing and able to in turn support those in need. We need to be wise and sensitive enough to see the Holy Spirit's leading, as we are lead to help others. There are many ways we can effectively do this. There is also wisdom that we need to use as we seek to support others. The spirit will help us discern real needs or false ones. Finally, and most of all, let our prayer be that the Lord would find us whole heartily supporting each other.
Questions to Get Started With:
-Where do you look or to whom do you look for support in your time of need?
-Do you reach out to support others?
-Are you sensitive to seeing others needs?
-Do praise God for His amazing love and provision when the times are calm or when in rough waters?
-Do you keep a running log or journal of what He's provided for you physically and spiritually?
-What are some of practical things you can do to support others?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Wanted to share an old and very sincere Irish Blessing with you on this St. Patrick's Day!
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Have an Excellent day!
Your Bro,
rlk
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Free Download of John's Gospel - An Easter Gift for You From The Listener's Bible
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