Bitterness

"Bitterness is an acid that destroys its own container." 

Adrian Rogers

The heart of sinful man is hate, anger, revenge, jealousy, and to get even with those who offend us.

The heart of Jesus from the cross:

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34 NKJV)

Ephesians 4:31-32New King James Version (NKJV)

31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors[j] do so?48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Enough said.

Whats Wrong With This Picture?

Something Is Missing

Did you notice the error in the above picture? If not, go back and read the verse written on the image. Do you see what is missing? There is one important word which should be there, but it is not. That word is "God." You might be asking "why in the world would you post such an image as this." Well, I did it to make a point.

Recently I had a coupon to make a framed canvas print at a very nice price. I had a very short time to get the order off or the coupon would expire. Not only this, my computer was a nightmare to work with because it was giving me a ton of trouble. However, I decided to go ahead and use the above picture and insert this bible verse on it and then send it off. I copied and pasted the Bible verse so that I would have no typos. After getting the image laid out as I wanted, I sent it off for processing. Upon receiving my print in the mail, I opened it excited with how it turned out. As I was enjoying the image and admiring how nice it would look on the wall that I noticed the error. Now I was so disappointed because in no way would I would want to hang this on our wall. It just would not be right.

So what is my point of posting such an image? When we remove God, things are just not right. We live in a society today where many are trying to do just that. For example the phrase "separation of church and state" is heard over and over again. They have removed prayer from our schools and wonder why our teens are so troubled. In society today, things which God calls evil, many call good, like sexual immorality. If someone wants to save themselves for marriage, people see them as being weird. We live on a world full of hate and nations seeking war. Many in their quest for more power are destroying the lives of many. We must remember the words of Jesus in John 10:10, "the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." If we as a society remove God, all we have left is the devil. Many will think that life will be better without God, but that is a lie that leads to destruction. I would like to encourage all believers in Christ to call out to God that He sends forth a revival across our land so that the works of the devil are destroyed and many find eternal life in Christ. The choice is simple, " Jesus and life or the devil and death."

There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12 NKJV)

Below is the image as it should be.

Isaiah 40:8

Mother Passed Away

I just wanted to let my friends know that my mother passed away last Wednesday. Sorry for the delay in updating you, but I have not been much on the internet. I thank everyone who has been praying. God bless you all.

My Mother Dying

I have been busy lately with my mother and her health so I have not had much time for blogging. I thought I should update my friend as to what is going on. My mom is now in hospice and could pass at anytime now. She fought hard to live, but her time of departure is at hand. It is comforting to know where she is going since she is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful that the Lord blessed her with 93 good years and a good life. I am also thankful that He gave me such a wonderful mother who loves the Lord.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and God bless you.
Ken

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

Many things going on in my life right now, some good along with bad. The last week of June my wife and I took my granddaughter and two of our nephews on vacation to San Diego, California and had a great time. Then to return home to no air conditioning in our home. The bracket which holds the fan gave away and ruined our unit. We were anxious to get home, but had to live out of motel for almost a week. It is just too hot here in the desert southwest this time of year. We are home now, but my mom is sick and in the hospital with kidney trouble. Not only that, her sister died yesterday of kidney failure. My mother is up their in age, so we are concerned with how much longer she will be with us. 

In life we face many challenges, some may be quit trying. None of us knows what tomorrow brings. One today may look at the things going on in our world and feel as though there is no hope. There are wars and rummers of war. The potential of great economic trouble is a real possibility. People today call the things which are evil, good and the good, they call evil.

But the good news, in Christ Jesus we have a future and a hope. The Lord blessed my Aunt with nearly 90 years and a good life. Now she is forever in the presence of Jesus for all eternity. Jesus has blessed my mother with 90+ years and also a good life. When her time comes, she too will forever be in the presence of the Lord. In light of eternity, my air conditioner problem and all the little things which get me all worked up are actually quite small, now aren't they?

Psalm 46 God Is Our Refuge And Strength

Psalm 46:1

46 

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

(Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV)

What truly wonderful and powerful these verses are to hold on to when troubles strike. We all live in a fallen world which guarantees we all will face many challenges in life. Some of these will be quite difficult. The question we must ask of ourselves is: "Do I go through this with God, or apart from Him." One may rely on God's strength and wisdom in going through this thing or their own. Here is where faith comes in, "Do I believe God?" Remember Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."Just something to think about.

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)

Luke 9:43 Majesty of God

Luke 9:43

"And they were all amazed at the majesty of God..."

Luke 9:43a NKJV

The above photograph I took a couple years ago at Sea World in San Diego, California. I am just amazed just how an animal such as a whale could jump this high out of the water. Here, not only one, but three at the same time in the same way. I am sure some scientist could give a scientific explanation as to how a whale can make such a jump as this. But the thing is, it is by God’s creative design which enables a whale to perform such a stunt. He gave them the ability to swim with such power and speed in order to leap like that. The way I see it is that this is just one of the many testimonies to the majesty of God in nature. Take a look at a giant Sequoia Tree in the photo below. These trees, not only are the massive in size, but live over 2,000 years. This is another testimony to the majesty of God in nature, and the list goes on and on in things such as a delicate flower or the vastness of outer space.

Another testimony to the majesty of God is in how can He redeem and change such a wretched sinner such as myself? Not only me, but everyday He is saving souls and changing people’s lives. While it is true that there are a lot of hypocrites in the church, people who appear Godly on Sunday and the rest of the week dance with the devil. Never the less, there are many people who were once drunkards, now sober. People, who were once full of hate, now love. Others were gay, now happily married to someone of the opposite sex and not looking back. Today I would just like for you to take a moment and reflect on the majesty of God.

Forgiven Much

Luke 7:47

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”  Luke 7:47

In the context of the above passage, Jesus was eating with a Pharisee when a sinful woman heard of it. This woman came to Jesus weeping. She wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. She kissed His feet and anointed them from the alabaster flask of ointment which she brought with her. This was a broken woman over her sin. The Pharisee questioned Jesus’ judgment saying to himself, “if He were a prophet, he would know what kind of a woman she was, a sinner.” Jesus knowing his thoughts, answered him by telling a story of two debtors with debts which could not be repayed. One owed much more that the other yet both were forgiven of their debts. Jesus asked “which would love more, the one forgiven of little, or the one forgiven of a lot.” The Pharisee answered correctly in saying, “the one who owed more.”

The thing is each us who are saved has been forgiven of a massive debt which we cannot repay. Oftentimes people compare themselves to someone evil, like a serial killer saying, “I am a good person. There is not much to forgive, at least I have never killed anyone or robbed someone at gunpoint.” You or I may have never murdered anyone, but have we ever hated someone? If so, Jesus said that we are guilty of murder in the heart. Ever stolen something? I know I have. I remember a time many years ago when I needed a spare tire, so a friend and I stole one out of someone’s truck. It was just sitting there in the back of the truck, so we took it. The owner had to work a few hours to buy this; then we come along and stole it leaving him to have to work more hours to replace it. Does God look at my sin and compare it to the serial killer and say, “at least you did not do that, so everything is ok?” I think not. Actually I know not. For each and every one of us who are saved, our sin cost Jesus His life. He went to the cross to pay for it. Do we really appreciate what Jesus did for us? Or do we just take it for granted, like it is no big deal that we are forgiven? The thing is, the more thankful we are for what Jesus did for us, the more we love Him for it. The more we love Him, the more we love and respect His Word. The more we love and respect His Word, the more we are changed and want to glorify Him with our lives.

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

So he said, “Teacher, say it.”

41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.". 

Luke 7:36-50 NKJV

Revelation 3:20 I Stand At The Door And Knock

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

(Revelation 3:20 NKJV)

Often people use the above verse when witnessing to the unsaved. While I suppose one may do this, however in the context of this passage, Jesus is speaking to the church, not the unchurched. What a sad thing it is when Jesus is outside of the church trying to get in. Even individually, this may often be the case. Some may figure they are right with the Lord because of what they do, such as singing in the choir and attending church regularly. For many, they are busy serving and going through the motions, but their hearts are far from Him. Thankfully, Jesus gives us two solutions to our lukewarmness in His message to the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:18. The first is to buy from Him and clothe ourselves with His garments. The second is to anoint our eyes so that we may see. What does this mean? Simply put, we purchase these garments from Him with our faith, (See Ephesians 2:8-9)  and anoint our eyes with His Word. (See Romans 10:17) We must always remember, “I can do nothing apart from Him.”

The Lukewarm Church

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”

(Revelation 3:14-22 NKJV)

When I Am Weak, 2 Corinthians 12:10

2 Corinthians 12:10

The Thorn in the Flesh

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV

Oh how easy it is when one is going through some difficulty to think; "I must solve this with my own strength." I know that I do this, even if I pray, I become tempted to just rush through the prayer and get on doing what I feel as I should do on my own. Even churches and various ministries will often times trust in self rather than God. For example, a church might get focused on growth and want to figure out ways to fill the building. Then political correctness sets in and the Gospel goes out the window. The problem is that Jesus is not in this. He is the one with all the power, and authority. He knows what is right. Why in the world would we want to solve a problem we face or perform some sort of ministry work without Him? It really makes no since to do that, now does it?

Revelation 2:12-13

Revelation 2:13 NKJV

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. Revelation 2: 12b-13 NKJV

We too may be be living where Satan dwells. For example, at work one might be pressured to compromise, or even deny their faith. In the church which Jesus spoke to here, there are some who did compromise. How about you and I, are we keeping the faith, or not?

The Compromising Church

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,
‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.[a] 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Revelation 2:12-17 NKJV

Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33

4 Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Proverbs 23:5-6 NKJV

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV

God is NOT saying; "have nothing." While it is good to work, invest wisely and pursue career ambitions, all earthly treasure will not last. Be good stewards of the resources God has blessed us with, but our treasure should be in heaven.

Thank You Jesus

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, 

than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

John 15:13 NKJV

Many people ask, "Why do you Christians honor a symbol of torture?"  It is not the symbol, but who Jesus is and what He did. It is because of Jesus' great love that He laid His life down for us, that all who believe will have everlasting life. It is through Jesus' death, burial and resurrection that we live.

Thank You Jesus!

Exercise Your Faith

Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV
"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

The thing I notice in my walk with the Lord, if I am not busy exercising my faith, I find my spiritual life becomes dry. My prayer and bible study is just not the same and I become lazy. I find myself just going through the motions. When I am busy serving the Lord in some way, I find that I come alive. For example, I notice a difference in my walk when I am ministering through this blog, as opposed to not. I hope and pray others are feed through my writings, but this blog does a major work in my life. To "workout your salvation" means to live out your faith and to live an obedient life. I believe this means more than just turning from sin, but also stepping out in faith bringing glory to God in your service to Him. In doing so, He will grow us. How are you doing with "working out your salvation?" Just for clarity, we do not work to earn our salvation. It is a gift of God. See Ephesians 2:8-10.

I Am Back

When I took a break last summer, I intended to be right back in a month. However, I did not realize how burnt out I was. Also, I just did not feel led to write. Before God told me to, so I did. I am not a writer or a theologian, so posting one short post world consume me for two days. This was just too much. Going forward I plan to make some changes. One thing I have always enjoyed was photography. I consider myself to be a good snapshot photographer who comes out with some good pictures. Recently I have been applying myself to going to the next level and see where it takes me. My plan is to add scripture to photos and make just a brief statement concerning the scripture. I may share something that struck me during a sermon, or what I read in a book. Most of the time it will be my own thoughts. What ever I write, will be brief. It is my prayer that God uses this site to bless my brothers and sisters in Christ along with hopefully some who do not know Jesus will come and their hearts be softened. I look forward to visiting the blogs which I have followed in the past and reconnecting with my blogger friends. May God bless you all.