You are not a loser!

Here's a batch of truth I whipped up for you today during lunch. It wasn't originally on the menu for today but came to me so I created it and now I'm sharing it with you.

Click on the image to for a larger view of it

  I could say more about it but think the message in the image is clear.

 Blessings,

rlk

God IS Present!

Do you ever feel alone? Do you ever feel that no one is ever there for you when you need someone? 

Maybe you're going through health, financial, or some other trial today? Let me encourage you that you are NOT alone because God your Father is always with you! He has placed His Spirit in you to help guide and direct you, to help guide and direct you, to help empower you to be His witness to the ends of the earth!

He stays closer to you than anyone and He promises to never leave or forsake you! 

So, if you're feeling any negativity today, any aloneness, any self doubt: know that you are loved and never alone! 

Abide in Him today and know that He is there for you!

Below is a link to a great devotion that is a great reminder of God's presence in your life. 

God is present in your life and wants you to stay in His presence!

Be blessed today! May you be encouraged by these truths and may you be challenged to change your thinking if it doesn't line up with His Word.

Please check out this devotion from Boyd Bailey:

http://www.wisdomhunters.com/2012/06/god-is-present/

In His Strong Love,
Your Brother and Servant,

rlk

Thank You Sonrise Church!

Last week brought my pastoral internship to a close and I'm sending out a big THANK YOU to the pastors, the other leaders and people of Sonrise Church for the opportunity to learn, serve, grow and contribute over this last almost year!!

It's been a privilege to rotate through almost every area of ministry which has allowed me to learn more about the DNA of Sonrise while also getting to meet, know and serve the leaders and many of the people of Sonrise Church!

Thank you for your investment of time in me showing me how things work as well as for sharing your passion for your areas of ministry and most of all for sharing your passion for The Lord, His people and the community we live in!

This has been a fantastic part of my journey and I will look back on this time with deep fondness.

Thanks and many blessings!!

Sincerely,

rlk

Homeschool Planning Resource

If you follow this blog you know I like to pass on information about resources I've created or information about resources others have created as well.

Someone from the home school group we're involved with designed this great homeschool planner. You can check out the link below to see what it's like - It's jam packed with helpful household stuff including your school schedule.

http://www.missionmama.com/homeschool/simply-planned-homeschool-planner

Check it out!

rlk

5GB of Free Storage

I utilize a variety of online file storage and collaboration services and I wanted to pass on the following information.

Lately I've started using SugarSync to backup specific directories/folders as well as to share and or collaborate on files or documents with others. You can also utilize this on Blackberry as well as other devices besides PC's.

Basically you can backup and access your files, photos, and music when you need it with SugarSync... and you get 5GB free!

Click on this link to sign-up:

https://www.sugarsync.com/referral?rf=c2n0foqs8w5js&utm_source=website&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=referral&shareEvent=689876

How Do You Want To Live?

A song has been running around in my head for days now with the spiritual and practical implications of it in my own life and the lives of others. The song is "Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets.

So, for myself I'm just posting / sharing my thoughts "as is" as I process what's going on in this head of mine and maybe, just maybe it will help others to ponder these implications in their own lives. :-)

So I started pondering again... I wonder sometimes if I am making a difference in this life and in the lives of others as I seek to pour out my life to help encourage, build up and challenge others to be better than they used to be...to live up to their full ability...to know that they are valued and worth something? 

I'm striving to make a difference in the lives of my family, friends and community in general. I ask myself often, am I doing enough as a husband, dad, friend, employee, etc? Am I making any difference in every relationship and area of my life?

I want my life to matter for something because I believe I'm here to live my life for more than just myself and I hope that I'll live and leave a legacy that is one of honor. I hope at the end of my journey here that I can look back and say that I did make some difference whether in big or small ways!

How about you? Do you you want your life to matter for something more than just the daily grind? Do you realize your life matters?! I sure hope so because you do matter and believe it or not you can and do make an impact in the lives of others!

Furthermore, do you and I see the sacrifice others have made or are making today? Do we see someone living their lives well (not perfect) regardless of economic stature and think to ourselves..."I want to live like that!" Give life everything you have - don't settle for mediocrity! Live life like it matters because it does! Life is too short to not at least try to give it everything you've got!

Check out this song and then evaluate your life and how you want to strive to live!

Blessings,

rlk 

http://youtu.be/GfosSggwQS0

The State of Preaching

Today, Tim Challies posted a summary of an article that Al Mohler wrote in 2006 regard The State of Preaching. He touched on the trends and the things that are lacking and amazingly or not so amazingly these things are still very relevant 6 years later in 2012!

Here's the post: http://www.challies.com/quotes/the-state-of-preaching 

Please take time to read it and then share your thoughts here. 

I'm reminded that one of the first things pastors are charged with is is to preach The Word!

Take a look at 2 Timothy 4:1-5 for the charge and calling!

This is something I actually put on my "ministry resume" as part of my "philosophy of ministry" and here are 9 things in this passage that we are called to do:

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NASB or ESV):
1: Preach the Word
2: Be ready in season and out of season
3: Reprove
4: Rebuke
5: Exhort
6: Be sober Minded
7: Endure suffering
8: Evangelism
9: Fulfill the ministry

I share this in conjunction with the article for two reasons:

#1: Pastor please remember your calling!

#2: Church, pray for each other and your pastors and other leaders. Uphold them in prayer and be an encouragement to them as they seek to fulfill their calling in shepherding God's Flock! Pray that they'd exalt God and His Word!

If we're not preaching The Word as pastors and lay people, then what are we doing? 

According to The Word, Pastors are called to do many things to shepherd The Flock and correctly handling God's Word is Job One as everything else we do flows from The Word. 

So, if we're not handling it correctly by glossing over things or taking things out of context in order to "fit them" into "our" message then we are guilty of not fulfilling our call and we will lead people astray!  We need to repent of this and ask The Lord to help us do things His Way and not our own because it's ultimately Him that we're representing! We also need to affirm this with the congregation.

Furthermore,  if we aren't handling The Word properly then our doctrine, which flows from The Word, will be skewed as well in theory and in practice!

With this in mind, here are 5 key doctrinal commitments that I've become convinced that pastors should adopt and commit to:

Foundational Doctrine Commitment:
-A High View of God
-The Absolute Authority of Scripture
-Sound Doctrine
-Personal Holiness
-Spiritual Authority

These are one's I've grown committed to even more so over the last several years - especially when it seems that within the church these are starting to become less-and-less valued at times or in some circles of The Church.

I will share another post in the near future that will briefly expand on why these 5 are essential/vital to the The Church universal and individually as pastors and believers in general.

Have a great day and Live for Him!

In Christ,

rlk

Walk Your Faith

Read:

2 Corinthians 5:7, Philippians 2:12 and Matthew 17:20

Walk Your Faith

By Randolph Koch

Is your faith real?

I often wonder if in the midst of all the conveniences we have that our "faith" walk has just become something for when it's "convenient".

Think about it, when was the last time you did something that was a sacrifice of your time in service to the Lord and others?
 

When was the last time you sat in service, which is the typical and only once a week activity many Christians "engage" in, and you didn't check your watch/phone to see when it would be done so you could go on to what you really wanted to do that day?
 

When was the last time you didn't just attend church once a week and decided to actually serve as well and plug into a ministry you believe you're called to serve in? I know life is busy but you do need to serve!
 

When was the last time you served someone with no strings attached, meaning with no expectations of receiving anything in return?
 

When was the last time you invested in others period, through building relationships and ministering in a small group or other ministry?
 

When was the last time you gave sacrificially of your finances each payday or toward a specific mission or ministry need? 

I could make a huge list here but I think this list provides plenty for all of us to chew on for a while. :-)

As those who are a part of the Lord's family we need to make sure that our faith is real and we need to walk it out each day! 

It’s about sacrifice. It’s about service. It’s about putting The Lord first and helping others do the same.

 
Note, it’s a walk, not a run. It’s a daily picking yourself up and walking with The Lord.
 
May you be encouraged and challenged today to step up your faith walk and ask the Holy Spirit to help you not just live a "convenient faith" but a real faith!

If you've been "walking" in convenience let me encourage you to seek The Lord, repent of complacency and start walking your faith out today!

Have a great day!

In His Strong Love,

Your Brother and Servant,

rlk

You Are Not an Afterthought - You Are Significant!

Read: Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 12:7, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 2:8-10


The older I get the more I am convinced that I do not want my life to be the consequence of afterthought nor do I want people to think of me or treat me like I'm an afterthought as God does not think of me that way. 

I want to live with a purpose and be purposeful with pretty much everything I can be...and I do not want to come to the end of this journey and be filled with regret.

There are so many passages that teach that you are not a mistake and you are not insignificant!

Here are a few thoughts and passages to build you up in His name:

-He knew you by name before you were born! (Jeremiah 1:5)

-He knows and cares about even the littlest things about you! (Luke 12:7)

-Even when you were in sin, He still chose to die for you! (Romans 5:8)

-He called you according to a specific purpose - His purpose and He Justified you! (Romans 8:28-30) 

-You have been saved by Him and you are His workmanship and He's prepared something specific for you to do! (Ephesians 2:8-10)

None of these passages say anything about God operating without a specific purpose and He specifically has you in mind. :-)
  
As I mentioned before, I want to be living "on purpose" and with a purpose! Why? Because, for example, even though my earthly father has forsaken me in life I have come to know that I am a son of my Father in Heaven! I am the King's kid! There is nothing random with God and I'm no longer to think of myself as a mistake or worthless!...and that applies to you as well if you're thinking these thoughts!

It ends today in Jesus' name!


How about you? Are you living on purpose and with a purpose?!

Have you assessed your life lately? If not, take time to do so today as it's very important.  


There is so much more I could share on this as the Bible is full of these truths but let me leave you with the following thoughts to chew on:


If you hear anything through this post today, please remember that you are not an afterthought as a child of God!  Live your life with a purpose and be complete in Him!

As you awake each morning plant your feet firmly on His foundation and walk in true confidence because you belong to Him and He has and is equipping you each day according to His purpose, will and plan. 


Blessings,


rlk

Rise Up!

Here's a little Bible and Praise Pick-Me-Up for your Friday!

The Word:

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASB)

²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
³⁰ Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
³¹ Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

Praise:
Lincoln Brewster - "Strength Will Rise" - http://youtu.be/jP2nz6PG8KM

Chris Tomlin - "I Will Rise" - http://youtu.be/k_2JpQNpSUA

Matt Maher - "Rise Up" - http://youtu.be/1kV9DG8qtjk
Have a great weekend!

In Christ Alone,

rlk

The Holy Spirit

As a believer you need to be in The Word and you also need to grow in your knowledge of God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit as you continue your walk with The Lord.

For instance, let's consider the Holy Spirit. The Bible has answers regarding Who The Holy Spirit it? What His role is in our lives? When do we receive The Holy Spirit?...and more.

I heard a Pastor say recently that you don't receive the Holy Spirit until after you are baptized but I have to ask, is that what God's word says? Let me clearly say, no, that's not what the Bible teaches. Baptism is an important step of obedience however, physical Baptism has nothing to do with receiving The Holy Spirit.

We need to be Like "The Bereans" (See Acts 17) and take in what we hear and then pick up The Bible and then compare it to what God's Word says.

For further studies about The Holy Spirit here's some resources you might check out in addition to your Bible. :-)

Here's a useful article about receiving The Holy Spirit: 

http://www.gotquestions.org/receive-Holy-Spirit.html 

Then head here:http://www.gty.org/FOF

And Read and listen to Study #7 regarding The Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit. I actually highly recommend the entire study (Foundations of the Faith) as important topics of your faith in Christ are covered in this study.

Be strong, Study God's Word and continually take everything you hear and read back to God's Word.

In Christ,

rlk 

The Idolatry of Modesty

Hello,

Read this article on modesty and then let me know your thoughts.

The Idolatry of Modesty | JEFFBETHKE.COM

I think modesty is important and he makes some good points about this and realize that anything about our faith can become an Idol if we let it.

Actually anything that takes our heart or focus away from Christ our Lord can become and Idol so we need to approach everything prayerfully with wisdom and through the lens of scripture.

More to share later but for now, read this blog post from Jeff Bethke and come back and leave a comment here.

Blessings,

rlk