Guardians of Life

Go for a walk in the River. You won't ever be the same.

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Now Is The Time

May 14, 2016 /

As I’m sitting here this morning I have been thinking about what God is telling me as of late. Two Sunday’s ago God was telling me about His provision. His supply and His abundance. They are not in short supply. Everything is His so, why are we worried? He told me that we (his children) are holding on to His provisions like there will not be enough. We are thinking that this is all we are going to get. Wow, what a bunch of nonsense. Yet, this is what we are doing. Holding on to it as if we will never see any more. After pointing this out, He told me to give it away. Our first thought is almost automatically to say “what?” But He went on. God then said that there are people that need what we have. They are lost and need Him. Remember that He chose us to get this supply to them. He could very easily just do it for them. But, He wants us to do it. To share His Love, His Grace and His Mercy to the lost. I mean, what are we worried about? God only has so much. Tell me what is not His? For when we give it away they will have Him and only need to go back to Him and get some more. Give it away, go back for replenishment. Give it away, go back for replenishment. Thats how it works. That is how God wants it. We are to be depending on Him.

So this last Sunday God spoke about distractions. The prophecy was about His children being distracted. We are being kept from seeing Him. Hence we are feeling like we are alone. This we know is not true. God is always with us. No matter where we are. He has not left us. Putting it on us to seek Him out. We need to actively look for Him. Make the effort to go after Him. Doing this on bended knee. Praising, worshiping and praying. This is how its done. The more we humble ourselves the easier it is to see Him. We can’t be distracted any longer. God has set a path before each of us. One we are to walk. Its not exactly the same for everyone. Yet, there are many similarities. Same aspects and principles to follow. Same God to listen to. Same God to obey. We can’t afford to be distracted any longer. Time is running out. People are in need of Him and we are the ones to carry His message to them. This is how God has wants it.

As I come to closing this posting, I will say this. Jesus is coming soon. We do not know when. We do need to ready. We do need to share what is His to this world. Remember that scripture tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The great commission tells us to go into all the world. Not just a part of it. Or the part we are comfortable with. These messages of late are a reminder that He is still here. Alive and wanting all who call on His name. Both us (his children) and those who are yet to come. Draw close to God and give Him away. Thats what He wants. Thats what we need to do.

Be blessed, Ken

A Line is Drawn

April 28, 2016 /

This last Sunday I was given a word to share. So, here it is. “The enemy of your soul has drawn a line in the sand. He is telling you not to cross it. For there will be repercussions. I say come to me and be safe. Join me today that we may be together. Therefore we shall cross this line together. We will make it blury. We will make it disappear. Now tell me what is not mine. Cross this line with me for I have all authority both here and in Heaven. I have all the key’s. He has no place. Because he has no place, he is not to be feared. Walk this day in my power and authority. Fear has no place in my children. Go where I send you. I am with you always. You carry my name everywhere you go. They will know that you are mine. And that my authority goes with my name. Walk in peace.  Share my gospel. Walk my gospel. Be my gospel.”

These words given us are for some of us specifically. For others they are for encouragement. When we pay attention to todays world we see a constant attack against God’s children. In some places we are physically attacked. In other area’s we are pressured to change and accept their ways. With these words of His we are being reminded of WHO we serve. Who we follow and who has all the key’s. There is nothing to fear. No one to fear. The repercussions mentioned are not false. The enemy of our souls will try to use them on us. This we all know for he has tried it before. But, with Jesus on our side who can stand against us.

Another resounding theme here is the Devil’s place. Its not among God’s children. You notice that in the beginning of the message, God talks of us being together with Him. If we walk with God there is no place for the enemy. In the book of James 4:7 it says “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (NASB). One way to see this is to start at the beginning of the verse. Submit can be looked at as chose. Chose God. Come together with Him. The enemy will see Our Lord standing next to you and he will have no choice but to run. He also reminds us that He will not leave us or forsake us. Take the time now to get yourself into a position of being in God’s presence. We don’t have to fight this fight alone. God is preparing us for battle. He will be with us always. In Zech. 4:6 it states ” Then he said to me, ” This is my word to Zerubbabel saying, “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” What a simple way to say that He has it under control. Don’t be afraid. Just listen to God and be obedient to what He is asking of us.

The last part of the message God tells us what to do. Its to share and be the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this way people will be drawn to Him and all the glory is His. Remember that the second part of the great commandment is to love your neighbor. So, be strong and unafraid. Walk and talk the Gospel. Jesus Loves you and your neighbor.

Be blessed, Ken

Window Shopping

April 19, 2016 /

As the title states, lets talk about window shopping. We all have done it to some degree or another. In fact my wife and I take a couple days during the spring through fall time to go out to Lake Geneva. Its just a day here or another one there, but it offers us time to get away. Often we find ourselves looking at home listings posted in the realtor’s window. Its kind of fun to see how much they are asking. Needless to say they are wish lists. Priced WAY out of our budget. Now these listings have all the info about the homes the realtor’s think you need to know. Its all the appealing stuff. Photo’s to make them even more enticing. Details of the property. Location of the home. How many of this and how many of that. All good information. Trying to get you interested.

So, window shopping has its good points and bad. Kind of like our daily walk with our Lord and Savior. People are watching us all the time. Trying to find that something to put back into our faces. Something to make fun of. Something to accuse us of. Something to use against us to prop themselves up higher than we are. So, lets give them something. When we are living a life worthy of the name of Jesus Christ what do we have to fear? They will call you a nut case or stupid for following Jesus. Calling you weak. Out of touch with whats really going on today. High and mighty is one that comes up often. Or that we put ourselves above everyone else. If we are living a life worthy of His name, then we should be a window for them to see the truth. Thats as simple as Jesus Christ himself. How are they going to know of a better life if we don’t live it in front of them.

Nothing speaks louder than a picture. If they are watching you, then show them. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except by Jesus. Remember the second part of the great commandment is to love your neighbor. Show this by being kind and giving them a smile. It may be the only one they get today. Greet them with a friendly hello. Open the door for them at store. let them get in front of you in the line at the check out. Especially when they have fewer items the you do. Tell them to have a great day. I have been doing this more often these days and the reactions are wonderful. They respond with a heart felt than you.

When you go to a restaurant don’t be cheap. We as Christians already have a bad reputation for this. Be a good tipper. Say thank you after they attend to your needs. Engage them in some short conversation. If they appear to be having a bad day, then say something kind to them. Offer to pray for them. Encouraging words are always good. You just may get the opportunity to lead them in the sinners prayer. At the very least you would have your best to make their day more pleasant.

I need to mention that when we do fail don’t try to hide it. If we need to ask for forgiveness then do it. If you need to eat a little bit of humble pie then do it. This will also speak loudly to them. If we behave badly, we may not have another chance to correct it and truly share the gospel with them. It also leaves an image that they will not soon forget.

People will not always listen to us. They may even tell us to shut up or worse. Remember that Jesus went through a lot worse for us. Even being persecuted for His name is a good thing in the sight of Jesus. Lets show them the good things of Jesus. The things that make our lives worth living.

Be blessed, Ken

Chains and Binds

April 5, 2016 /

Here we are posting again. This is the first time I have done two days in a row. That said, I’m going to talk about this last Sunday. We had a very good service at church. The whole time was spent in worship. Its great to see how God works things together. The last two posts were about revival and now we are talking about part of that process. As we entered into worship the pastor spoke of the need to break off chains and all that is binding. The binds of worry, pornography, depression, cancer and anything that hinders you from obtaining that which God has for you. There was excitement, joy, shouting, crying and a lot of praying. It was a time to be in His presence. I am writing about this because this is for everyone not just those at the service. If you are hindered in any way just go to God and ask for victory over these. He doesn’t want to see His people suffer. As with revival, this is a time when God empowers His children. Equipping them for the tasks that are to come. He will not only set you free, but put you in a position to help others obtain that which is missing in their lives. Or should I say “who” is missing in their lives.

During this time God was giving me a vision. I saw a column of people marching down the center isle of an auditorium. They were four people across and as deep as the vision would show me. In the front was a banner  leading the way. Not knowing exactly what this meant I spent some time seeking God for an answer. The first place He took me was to 2 Chron. 7:14. which says “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” As I meditated on this my impression was about healing our land. Our country has strayed way too far from its original path as a Christian nation. Its not too late to make a difference in our land. We need to draw as close to God as we possibly can. Forsaking ourselves and our wants and needs for those that are of our God’s will. Do we trust God to do what is best? Or do we think that our way is the only way for it to work out? God knows what is best. Just let Him do it. Lay down our own ideas, thoughts, wants and needs at His feet. Make ourselves available to Him for His will tom be done.

You may have heard this before. You may have read this before. But, look at it as confirmation of His word. Many people have talked about revival is coming. Or The third great awakening is coming. Some speak of spiritual promotion or blessings coming. Signs miracles and wonders will be seen. This is all good and most likely going to happen, so why not put yourself in a position to be on the receiving  end of this? Why not be as close to God as possible?Why not do all that we can? Why not be obedient to god and do as Hen asks of us? I want to hear “well done” when I see Him face to face. I want to see others get their opportunity to be with God in Heaven. Its not all about us. Its about Jesus first and our neighbor second.

Go to our Lord Jesus and get those chains and binds broken. Spend time with Him in His presence. Go that extra distance by forsaking ourselves to Him. It won’t be wasted time. Remember that God loves you.

Be blessed, Ken

Revival Pt.2

April 4, 2016 /

Ok here we are in part 2. The clue given in part 1 about soaking in a tub has to do with cleansing. When you soak in the tub for a length of time your pores open up and the dirt and junk come out. That’s what we need today. We need to cleanse ourselves both outside and inside. In 2 Chron. 29 we read the story of King Hezekiah. He tells the priests to consecrate both the temple and themselves. This was necessary in order to prepare for what is going to take place. You can’t really expect God to answer us when we look and act like the world. At least in a way we would like Him to answer us. remember that in 1 John 2:15 states that we are not to love the world. In fact if we do the love of the Father is not in us. We also have in James 4:4 tells us that friendship with the world is hatred toward God. All of this in addition to asking for forgiveness of our sins.

After King Hezekiah had the priests consecrate the temple and themselves the people did the same thing. Followed by the sacrifices required of them. We don’t do the sacrifices any longer. Simply because our Lord and Savior has done it all for us. There is nothing that we can do to match or even come close to what He did for us. Once this was done they started to worship God. Worship is important to do. This is where we offer up to Him all the glory, honor and praise due to Him. It also brings us into a place of being in His presence. We forget about ourselves and just worship God. Its all about Him, not us. During this time of worship the people sang and played their instruments. What they also did was to bow down and get on their knees to worship. I’m sure many of them were laying flat on their stomachs as low as they could be before God. All of this is meant to get ourselves out of our comfort zones and into God’s comfort zone. Remember the first part of the great commandment is to Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind and with all of your strength ( Mark 12:30).

Now does this say that we will have revival if we follow it to the letter. No it does not. But in the very least we will be in a better place at that moment. Where we won’t worry about much of anything. So, if I don’t see it in the church it means that there isn’t revival  happening? Wrong, all it means is that the church isn’t there yet. Revival may happen on an individual basis. People could be in revival all by themselves. They have taken the time to forsake everything and just go after God. We too, may experience this.We just need to go after God and not worry what others saying or even thinking. Just remember its all possible with God.

Be blessed, Ken

 

Revival Pt.1

March 24, 2016 /

Here we are today talking about a topic this time. Lets talk about revival. We all have heard the church say that we need a revival. Revival is coming and stories of a great one coming again. We have this vision of those from the past being relived. This may be good and all, but why do we limit ourselves? Why do we chase around the country to get in on the latest happening? These revivals have lead to some great moves of God and His pouring out of the Holy Spirit into our lives. But remember that God doesn’t always do everything in the same manner all the time. We like things done the same way because we are comfortable with it. So, here are some thoughts I’ve had concerning revival.

I wrote down some questions about this topic. Like, what is it? What is it going to look like? What is going to take place? And, what is it going to take to get there? To start with lets go to Webster’s  dictionary and look to see how it applies to us spiritually. Revival: 1C1; a period of renewed religious interest. 1C2; an often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings. So there we have it. Its interest and emotions. Thats its we are done. Well not quite. Its just a definition that leads us to the second question of what’s it going to look like. An example that comes to mind is 9/11/01. right after the attacks on the twin towers and the Pentagon people started to go to church in the masses. We were seeing great numbers of people returning. The problem is that it didn’t last. Why? Because they went out of fear. Not out of a renewed or closer walk with God. Some stayed and are still attending today, but not many. We are having more today, because people are looking for answers and are being honest with themselves. They need to know and are finding the truth. These people are looking beyond interest and emotions. In Jesus’ time the people followed Him with interest and emotion. But when it came to the time of truly being a believer they fell away and denied Him. Even to the point of chanting for His crucifixion.

Another example are the likes of Brownsville and the Toronto airport revivals. These were more than interesting and emotional. They had the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They changed lives and made lasting impressions in the lives of those who were there. They empowered people to go out into the world and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Signs, wonders and miracles all happened. Even still to this day. So, what is it going to take for this to happen today? We’ll talk about that in part 2. I will give you an insight into part 2 with this; go take a long soaking in the tub.

Please remember to share this with others and to register for this site. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Be blessed, Ken

The Letter of Life

February 28, 2016 /

Here we are making another attempt to write this post. My first attempt was deleted while I was still writing it. So this post is important for someone or some people. There was too much happening during the first attempt to say that it was an error by me. So God be glorified in this post and have it reach those people you intend to reach. Thank you God and Amen.

A couple of Sundays ago the Lord spoke through me a message that we all need to hear. It went ” I see the dancing. I hear the singing. I see the joy. I hear the praise and worship. But I ask that if your life were a letter how does it read? Is it fiction or something that I would want to read. This letter should bring joy. This letter should bring love. Come to me and start this letter. Make it a letter that I would want to read all the days of your life.” The beginning starts with God telling us that He knows what is going on. We can’t fool Him. He sees and hears all that we say and speak and do. That is why He said this. Knowing all this He goes on to ask us a question. Are we living a life that speaks of Him? What a great question this is. Makes me take the time to stop and think about it. Am I living His kind of life? What does it say? Is it about me or Him? I honestly want to say that it talks of Him. Although I know the answer is ” not totally.” That being said, I (we) need to ask where does it need to change? If we spend the time praying and resting in His presence we will get an answer.

The answer is about what is standing in the way of His joy and love. What needs to go and what needs to altered. Is it pleasing in His sight? Are we going to settle for good or pleasing? Or are we going to strive for perfect? Do we talk about that which is good and building up one another? Or is it fiction in His sight? God’s joy and love are what people need and want today. This is what He wants our lives to speak clearly. Remember the great commandment is about loving God first and then your neighbor. Nowhere does it talk about me first and everything else follows after it. Our lives should be a gospel of Jesus Christ. His word. His truth. His love and grace.

To get this He tells us to go to Him and get started on this letter of life. He will make it a letter that He wants to read. We just need to let Him. If we do He will read it all the days of our lives. God doesn’t say things just to hear His own words being spoken. This is what He wants of us now. The time is coming of Jesus’ return. Are we doing all that we can to spread His gospel? Our neighbor may not actually read the bible, but they do pay attention to how we live our lives. Looking for an opportunity to tear us down. Remember that Jesus is the way the truth and the life. No one goes to the Father except by Jesus.

Thanks for reading this and please spend time going over your life. Let it speak clearly of Jesus. Share this post with others and have an outstanding day.

Be blessed, Ken

 

Jacob’s Ladder

February 1, 2016 /

Yesterday was a great day to be in church. Our service was really, really good. The worship allowed you to go to a fresh place with God. Being in His presence was more than refreshing. I feel that as of this moment I am at the end of a season and being prepared for a new one. God in His great plan is showing me some examples of what and where He wants me to be. My last posting about the turnbuckle was one of them. Giving me a little  (real little) insight into how He works things out. Now I have been given another example. This time its where He wants me to be during prayer.

I’ll start this in Gen. 28:12 “He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” God brought me to this verse and showed me a ladder at which point He said to me this. “A ladder is here. How high do you want to go?” As I was writing down the scripture reference He said “Go to the foot of the ladder. Release your petition. An angel will take it forth. Wait for your answer . An angel will bring you word sent from Heaven above. Jacob wrestled with God and wouldn’t let go until he was blessed. Don’t let go, don’t give up. Wait for your answer. Persevere.” In Gen.32:24-32 you can read the story of Jacob wrestling with a man. By the actions of this man it is believed to be our Lord who was wrestling with Jacob.

In this vision of the ladder we see angels going up and down the ladder. Angels are messengers of God. They carry His word to and fro. They do His bidding when called upon. He told me to go to the ladder and give my petition to an angel. Then wait for an angel to bring back the answer. In the mean time I was just to wait in His presence. Sitting there enjoying and be refreshed by Him. My impression of this time waiting was so that I will be in a better place to receive His answer.

So, to answer His question mentioned in the beginning I will say. All the way to the top. I don’t want to fall short of everything He has for me. How will you answer this question? Are you willing to go to the ladder and wait. Its not about what we want, but what He wants for us. Take the time to go to the ladder and release your petition and wait. See what great and wonderful things God will do.

Be blessed, Ken

The Turnbuckle

January 26, 2016 /

A couple of Sunday’s ago the Lord was telling me of a turnbuckle (pictured). Having used these before I understood what He was talking about. I just didn’t know what He meant by it. As I pondered it for a little bit I had a close friend pray with me about it and I asked him what the Holy Spirit was saying to him. He gave me what he was impressed with by the Holy Spirit and I thanked him. But I kept thinking about this turn buckle.

First let me explain its purpose and how it works. Its purpose is to tight or loosen tension between two points. This is used often with gates to keep them from sagging in the middle. I have used it at work for an emergency pull cord to quickly stop a conveyor. It works in a manner that it is attached between two points. Such as a cord and a device that controls tension like the emergency stop device. Tension is adjusted by turning the center part in either direction. One way it will tighten it or the other way will loosen it. Drawing both ends of the turnbuckle in or out at the same time.

One of the first thoughts is how does this apply to me spiritually? Well what I noticed is that I like many people will focus on my situation only. Now if you cover up half of the turnbuckle you will only see a bracket and an end part that turns. So we start to urn the end part trying ti fix our problem or to change our situation. We don’t always think about the rest of it. Because we aren’t seeing the whole thing. Please note that we may not be allowed to see the whole thing because God doesn’t allow us to. Often times its after the fact that God shows us the whole picture. So, if we now focus on our half of the turnbuckle we know that its the “bracket” part that doing all the work of the adjustment. This is God doing His thing on two ends at the same time. This is of course leading us to another question. How do we know what is happening at the other end? The answer is that we may not know. But, we do have one thing going in our favor. Its called FAITH. In Hebrews 11:1 it states “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (NIV). We need to continue to do what is expected of us without worrying about the rest of it. Controlling the outcome is not our duty or choice. Being obedient to God and doing what He asks of us is. Believing in God to handle the other part can be the hard part. It does come easier to us the more we let go and just have faith. And when its time for us to see the other part, God will show us.

One example of this is Saul’s (Paul) conversion. As our Lord blinded Saul and spoke to him about going to Damascus He spoke to Ananias about Saul coming to see him and what he was to say and do for Saul. This is a good example of God working both ends at the same time. This is found in Acts 9:1-19. At first Saul didn’t know exactly what was happening but, He listened and obeyed God. When He needed to know something God told him at that time. Faith is a powerful thing to have. Faith is letting God be God. Allowing Him to do what He does when He does it and how He does it. Then we say Thank you and give Him all the praise.

So, keep a turnbuckle near you in your prayer/study area. This can and will remind you to have faith and let God be God. Doing exactly whats best.

Be blessed, Ken

P.S. please register on this site and pass this along to others so that they may be encouraged.

 
Turnbuckle

Change

January 4, 2016 /

Well here we are in the new year and The Lord gave me a word to share with you. At the end of the year The lord told me this. “Change; refinement, adjustment. Not who you are, for you have been prepared for this time. Just your habits need work. Don’t settle for that which is good or even pleasing. Perfect is the key. No need to strive for this. You are already there. Only one vision is needed and that’s mine. Why go there where I’m not. My will, my vision is perfect. Don’t doubt. Listen to me. I won’t put you where I don’t want you. I’ve laid out before you a path that I want you to walk. Trust and obey. That which is, isn’t. That which should be, isn’t. That who is before you is. Look up and take hold of who is.”

In the first part of this we get a definition of change. This is His definition. Not what we think of when we hear the word change. Its a rather small change. Using the words refinement and adjustment leave us to thinking that we are close to where He wants us. Then giving us the area of what needs work. Our habits. Often times we start out with good intentions, but fall short of what is truly needed. Its easy to stray from that which is challenging. There is an expression that says old habits die hard. Do they really need to die or just be refined.

So our Lord gives us more guidance by telling us not settle for good or pleasing. We will get started and find that it is hard and stop at good or pleasing. Thinking that this is enough. Its not. He wants us to go all the way. Like when He told Peter to come to Him on the water. Yes, Peter asked a question and Jesus answered by telling him to come. So Peter left the boat and went to Jesus. When he saw the waves he became frightened. Jesus then reached out His hand and helped Peter up. At that point Jesus said to Peter “you of little faith, why did you doubt” ( Matthew 14:22-34). Doubt and fear go hand in hand.

Continuing in this tone the Lord tells us that perfect is the key. But, don’t get all worked up about. Because He says that we are already there. Going on to tell us that His point of view is the only one that matters. Don’t look in a mirror and tell the Lord that He is wrong. Though remaining humble about it is also what he wants Not someone being overly proud of themselves. Adding that His way is perfect and just walk the path He has set before us. It may be hard, but we need to do it. He didn’t say it would be easy. He did say to trust Him and obey Him.

This last part is also a warning and an answer. We are not to trust what we see. Things will appear to be the right way but are not. Answers and responses are going to be the correct ones. At least that’s what we think. To know for sure, we are to look up to Him for the answers. We look up by going down to our knees in prayer. Having a conversation with Him who matters most. Him who has all the answers. Him who is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus has our best interests in mind. Lets just trust Him and obey. It is not easy tom do all the time. But it is what we need to do. I am saying this because this prophecy is speaking to me. And if its speaking to me I’m sure its speaking to many of you. Your not alone in this walk. The Lord said that he will never leave you nor forsake you. This is my comfort. Is it yours?

Be blessed, Ken

P.S. Please also remember to register on this site and share this with others. Comments are always welcome. So please leave one when you are prompted to by the Holy Spirit.

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