Ending and Beginning

Ending the current year and starting the new year is a matter of one day.  Does changing the date from 12/31 to 1/1, really radically change a person's life?

The change actually comes from the inside not the outside.  Changing the date does not change the heart.

End the current year with a deeper desire to get closer to God, and you will automatically start the new year getting closer to God. Look at James 4:7 and part of verse 8:

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..." Christians, get close to God now.  Start with praying to God for clear direction. God Bless, Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

What the Christian Does on Christmas

Merry Christmas:

Christians are not stuck on the exact day of Jesus' birth, we are stuck on the fact that Jesus was born through the Virgin Mary to save the world from sin.

God, the Son, was put inside of the Virgin Mary, and never stopped being God in the process.  Why?  To demonstrate God's love for the world by appearing as a human, living as a human, dying as the ultimate human sacrifice for humans, raising from the dead as a human, and to return one day for the ultimate restoration of humankind (John 3:16).

Jesus, Who came and was 100% God, and 100% man, did for humanity what we could not do for ourselves (Philippians  2:6-11).  Jesus brought human restoration back to God for us (II Corinthians 5:17-21).  Jesus brought meaningful life to us (John 10:10).  Jesus brought new values to us (Rom. 12), and on and on.

Today, we reflect, and we fall down and worship, Jesus, The Christ, born King of the Jews, The Risen Saviir of the world. We also share God's love with others by giving gifts and by doing good works.

FYI:  Christians, our worship leads to a more godly life, such that people see our lives full of good works, and give glory to God (Matt. 5:16).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Take Time to Worship The Christ

Christ, the Messiah, the Annointed One, Yahweh's Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53, is worthy of our undivided attention, and on-going worship.

In all the hustle and bustle, the joy and the sorrow, the giving and receiving, the struggles and good, that accompany this time of year, stop and worship The Christ, born King of the Jews.

Christians, stop, and take time to worship toward the end of this year, with a mind to continue in the New Year.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy

Where is Your First Love?

Look at Revelation 2:4:

'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

During the Christmas season, we can easily get caught up with the fun, and festivities, or circumstances can consume us, and we lose track of our "first love."  Our "first love" is our love relationship with Jesus.   We stop praying, and reading, and meditating on God's Word like we used to.  We are not in church and serving others like we used to.  We are more withdrawn, and focused on ourselves, and our personal needs, or we are more into worldly music, and activities, and as a result of our moving away from Christ, we are more lonely than ever before. This can happen to any of us.  Jesus says the reason is simple.  We left our "first love."  Jesus also says the solution is simple: "Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent" (Rev. 2:5). Christians, go back and reflect on the rich time you had in Christ, and go back to practicing the things that kept you close to Jesus.  Oh yes, don't forget to repent for slipping away. God Bless, Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Mary & Joseph, The Earthly Parents of Jesus

One of the outstanding lessons we learn from the parents of Jesus Christ is their commitment to fulfill God's call on their lives.  Their call was to parent The Savior of the world.  This call was a good work. Every call that God places on our lives is for good works (Eph. 2:10).

The God of the Bible never calls His children to do evil, or to hurt innocent people.  

Christian's, just like Joseph and Mary, we must willingly submit to God's call on our life to do good works.

Here is a prayer to help:

Dear Lord, Your earthly parents modeled doing good as they willingly
submitted themselves as the human vessels by which You appeared in the
world.  Lord, You also modeled doing good by dying on the cross for the sins
of the world.  Lord, Your Word is full of passages that teach us to do good
works.  As I do life, make me a vessel of honor, sanctified and qualified
for Your use.  Show me where You want me to do good works at home, in the
local church, in the community, and beyond.  Lord, help me to represent You
well.  I love You, Amen.

God Bless

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Christians, Continue to Do Good

The violent attack on unarmed and innocent people whose life commitment is to help the vulnerable members of our society, on 12/2/15, was heartless.

This was another act against humankind that highlights how lost people can be.  Domestic and international terrorist keep their hearts cold such that they possess a low view of human life.  Even as the function in the community they dwell on hatred and the destruction of human life to maintain this coldness.

God describes this kind of heart by saying that the heart is deceitful and desperately sick; who can understand it (Jer.17:9)?

However, God, Who knows the heart, can and does change the human heart through His Son, Jesus (II Cor.5:17).  

God also gives His children specific instructions to demonstrate our changed heart in Matt. 25:31-40.

Christians, as we live in an increasingly violent society, we must stay alert and protect our society from evil people doing evil things ("if you see something, say something").  Even if we are wrong, we are better off checking it out.  We must also continue to do good as we are doing in San Bernardino, and as we do good all over the world.

Christians, we even do good to those who hate us (Rom. 12:20-21; Gal. 6:9-10).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

When the Practice is Harder Than the Prayer

Christian's let's face a reality.  It is harder to practice what we preach, than to preach what we practice.

When our prayers are harder to practice than to pray, we keep praying and asking God for strength to honor Him in our practice of Christianity so that He is glorified (Matt. 5:16).

Here is a prayer to focus on practicing:

Lord, throughout the Bible You display a pattern of calling Your children to do a job, and You end up doing the heavy lifting with Your mighty works.  Lord, I desire to be Your available and willing servant as Gideon was.  I desire to live out my calling without "igotthisitis", I
desire to have those special intimate meetings with You, and I desire
enjoying You doing the impossible in and through me.  "Spirit of the Living
God fall fresh on me.  Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on me. Break me,
melt me, mold me, fill me.  Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me."  In
the name of Jesus, the Son of the Living God I pray, amen. 

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E Kennedy, Sr.





God Bless

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.
pastorkennedyMZO.blogspot.com

Fulfilling God's Call Without "Igotthisitis"

God's call on the Christian's life is critical the His eternal plan for reconciling the world to Himself.

God really does not need us, but He chooses to use us (John 15:16; II Cor. 5:17-20).

Christians we have a clear guide on how to allow God to change us from our old worldly thinking and practices (Rom 12:2), and the empowerment needed to serve Him (Acts 1:8).  We even have a clear assignment (Matt. 28:18-20).

Let us stick to our Bible based guidelines as we live this life.  

We do not need to develop or incorporate the spirit of "I got this"ninth our lives.  "Igotthisitis" is possessing an overconfidence in self, such that it attacks our daily dependence on God, and tries to fulfill God's call on our lives by leaning on our own understanding.

Here is a prayer to help overcome "igotthisitis:   

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your calling on my life.  Lord, I desire a personalized relationship with You such that I can always be sure that You are speaking to me, and giving me instructions that are supported in Your Word.  Lord, forgive me for the times that I practiced "igotthisitis."  I know such overconfidence in myself is not pleasing to You because I end up leaving You out and leaning on my own understanding.
Father, keep me close to Your bosom so that I daily depend on You.  In Jesus
name I pray, amen. 

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr.

When You Have A Relationship Versus Religion

Hundreds of religions exists in the world around us.

Christians, we have much more than external practices established by a man or group of men.  Religions demand a variety of external practices to find favor.  Religions can only give us what you deserve.  In religions, people seek approval as they practice rituals given as requirements to gain approval.

Christianity gives us a relationship with the Living God.

Christians get God's grace (God's overwhelming love and favor), and

cannot work for our relationship with the Living God (Eph. 2:8-9).

Christians simply believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (Rom. 10:9-10).

Christians are in relationship with God, and we live for Him (II Cor. 5:14-15).

We have the real deal, and what God promises is real.  

Christians, make getting to church this weekend a priority to worship the true and Living God.

Also consider Heb. 12:28-29, regarding how to show our appreciation.

Hebrews 12:28-29:

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us [fn]show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

29 for our God is a consuming fire. God Bless, Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Living With The Eternal Grace of God

The Christians way of life flows out of God's grace upon us.  Christians do not have to practice rituals in an effort to get right with God.  Christians are made righteous before God by the personal sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  Jesus suffered enormous pain and shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins.  The work of Jesus is a completed action that needs no human addition (Heb. 10:1-4).

God's work inside of the Christian is what naturally causes us to do good works, and is what move us to stimulate others to do good works, and want to be around each other (Heb. 10:19-25).

Christians, God's work of grace inside of us provides us eternal intimacy in God's holy presence, and drives us into a lifetime of faithful service to Him with unwavering hope (Heb. 10:19-23).

We live with a no turning back to our old life of leaving God out and doing our own thing. "But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39).

Christian's live with total confidence in the eternal work that God has done inside of us, and with what He is doing, and what He is going to do (this is our ongoing and fulfilling worship of God).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Deal with That Devil!

No need to cuss the devil out and spend excessive time talking to him and telling him off, and announcing to the world what all you did to him.  Keep your dealings with the devil very strong and simple.

Jesus modeled how to effectively deal with the devil, and get him off our back for the moment with strength and simplicity.

In Luke 4, we learn that in Satan's huge temptation battle against Jesus, he brought the same three areas of temptation from I John 2:16, into his temptations to get Jesus to operate outside of God's perfect will in Luke 4 (this was to get Jesus to sin and disqualify Jesus from being the Savior):

Feed yourself by turning the stones into bread (The lust of the flesh ).

Look at all the worldly kingdoms I am offering to you, just worship me (The lust of the eyes ).

Put your son ship on display before the people and jump off the temple (The boastful pride of life).

In Genesis 3:6, the devil tempted Eve with the same three areas of temptation to get her to eat the fruit God said to not eat, in Gen. 3:6:

The fruit was good for food (Lust of the flesh)

The fruit was a delight to her eyes (lust of the eyes).

The fruit was good for wisdom to be like God (the boastful pride of life).

Christians, Jesus used our most powerful weapon against the devil.  Jesus knew the Word of God, and Jesus skillfully used the Word of God, to get the victory over each temptation.

Christians, the devil is constantly trying to discredit us, and ruin our influence among non-Christians, to weaken our influence in our families, in the church, and in the community.  Therefore, let us follow in the footsteps of Jesus and skillfully use the Word of God to get the devil off our backs each time he attacks.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Live to Bring Glory to God.

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

What does the phrase "glorify your Father" really mean?

It simply means to let God be heard and seen in your speech, and actions.  Say and do things in a way in which people see God, and are drawn to Him.

Christians, we must be intentional to bring glory to God.  Ego will fight to share stage time with God, but we must fight ego back and hold ego back so that God gets the glory.  This is easier said than done so be prayerfully intentional.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

A Spirit of Thanksgiving

How do get rid of discouragement, stress, and the other emotions that take our spirit down?

Learn to see God working in your curcumstances and give thanks.

"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (I Thess. 5:18).   NASB

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (James 1:2-3).  NLT As you follow God's Word you discover that God does not abandon His children.  Whatever you are going through, God is working on your behalf. Learn to find the good in your circumstances and give thanks.  Start feeling better by simply using an old Biblical remedy. God Bless, Pastor Brian E Kennedy, Sr.

In the Test, Rest in God's Promises

Whatever you are going through today, God knows more about than you will ever know.  No matter how bad or painful rest in the promise that when you talk to God about it, He will give you "heart protection" level peace (Phil. 4:6-7).

Stay positive in your thinking so that you can start focused on talking to God every step of the way (Phil. 4:8). 

Make your way to church this weekend and join the saints in worshiping the God of Peace (Phil. 4:9).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Midweek Alignment

Midweek Bible Study and or Prayer Meeting are great ways to get strength and encouragement to resist defeat in a compromising culture.

Stay in the Word, and around people committed to live for Jesus despite what others do.  

Here is a prayer to help.

Lord, compromise is all around me.  Even people close to me compromise.  I even find myself struggling with compromise.  Please forgive me for anything I have done to compromise Your high standards.  

Father, I thank You for not abandoning Your people in a compromising culture.  Lord deal with me, and build my relationship with You, such that You can use me to take a strong stand for You.  Take away my fear with Your peace, and

intervene in the midst of persecution.  I place my life, and my total trust
in Your capable hands.  Use me as a vessel of honor, sanctified, and
qualified for Your use.  I love You deeply.  In the name of Jesus, I pray,
amen. 

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr.

Stick to God's Standards

Why Stick to God's high standards in a world full of people who compromise God's standards.  We can even see where we compromised God's standards in our lives.
Why get up, ask God to forgive us, and go back to God's standards with a total commitment?

1.  Standards are needed for Inevitable Transitions (Judges 1:1; 2:10-13).

2.  God's Standards are for the Good of His Children, and for society (Deut. 10:12-13).

3.  Compromise will Result in Sure Failure (Judges 1:19-34; 2:10-15).

Here is a prayer to help:

Dear Lord, help me to stick to the standards found in your

Word.  Even when I have opportunities to compromise, give me the strength to
maintain the "me and my house" mentality.  Father, instead of being easily
led astray into darkness, help me to be a leader who leads others into the
light.  Lord, on this business emphasis Sunday, I pray for every Christian
Business to be salt and light, and bless each business that is pleasing to
You, to thrive and not just survive. I love You.  In Jesus' name, I pray,
amen.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.
Mtzionontario.com

Do not Forget what you Promised God

If you declared along with Joshua, the son of Nun: "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15), keep your promise to God.

I realize this is a high standard, but this is the best way to go.

I will discuss why in the sermon this weekend.  

Stick to God's high standard.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr

Focus on the "Me and My House" Mentality

Christians, we cannot afford to live a roller coaster lifestyle.  Just as Joshua challenged the Children of Israel to make up their minds regarding whom they would serve, we need to decisively make up our minds regarding whom we will serve (see Joshua 24:11-15).  Make your mind up today that you will live with a "me and my house" mentality (a no compromise, give God your all and all mindset).

In Joshua 24:14-15, God gives us three commands to help us with our mindset.

1. Fear God (have respect and honor).

2. Serve God in sincerity and truth (pure motives and be dependable).

3.  Get rid of your idol gods.

Here is a prayer to help:  Lord, I praise You for the personal relationship that You

established with me.  With You in my life, the struggles in life are a lot
easier to bear.  The guilt and the shame from my past are covered under the
blood, I have hope for today and the future, and life is much more
meaningful.  Lord, take a look at my life and show me any idol gods that I
have.  I ask You to forgive me for having any of the idol gods, that you
point out.  Please forgive me for giving them any form of devotion that is
supposed to be for You and You alone. 

Lord, during the rest of my life, help me to live out the "me and my house"
mentality, so that I will give You a life-time of faithful service.  In the
name of Jesus I pray, amen.  

God Bless

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy,

Mtzionontario.com

A Prayer to Move Forward after a Setback

Once you have a setback in life, don't give up.  Here is a prayer to help.

Dear Lord, thank You for having mercy on me and giving me another chance to
experience a full and meaningful life.  I know my sins could have resulted
in my death and possibly the death of others, but You had mercy and forgave
me, and now I have the victory.  Thank you Lord.  Lord, I need Your faith
builder program to move forward with confidence in every area of my life.
Lord, to show my gratitude for You not giving me what I deserve, I commit to
show honor and respect for You based on the truth found in Your Word.  Lord,
I will worship and bow down before You, and only You. Father, I love You
deeply.  In the mighty, and matchless name of Jesus, I pray, amen.   

God Bless

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.
Mtzionontario.com

PS:  make sure you get to church.

Is God Included in Your Weekend Plans?

We often thank God for Friday because we have fun, projects, shopping, visits, etc. planed for the weekend.

How does corporate worship rate in all your planning?  What about Sunday School or a similar small group Bible study?

In Prov. 3:5-6, God says to include Him in all our ways (plans included), and He will make our paths straight.

Christians, in all our planning let us plan to make your way to the house of prayer for worship, fellowship, the Word, witnessing, and prayer.

Let us remember in prayer the families whose loved ones were targeted for their faith in Christ, at Umpqua Community College, Oregan.

Christians are under attack in America at many levels.  We must be prayerful, careful, and committed to our Lord, and committed to each other.

The Day of the Lord is approaching (Heb. 10:24-25).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

mtzionontario.com

Be a Witness for The Lord

According to the Pew Research Center, we have more than 2 billion Christians in the world (2010 report).

Christians we will grow much faster and reach more people for Christ when every Christian is a witness for the Lord.

Here is a simple format to present the gospel message:

God's Love (John 3:16).

Our Human problem (Rom. 3:23).

God's Solution (Rom. 5:8).

Our Human Response (Rom. 10:9-10).

Christian's we do not win people to the faith through violence, coercion, crafty aurguments full of proof texts, or by deceit.  We simply present the message about Jesus in the Power of the Holy Spirit, and we watch God draw people to a meaningful relationship with Himself (Rom. 1:16).

Here is a helpful prayer for each of us:

Lord thank You for the person who shared the life-changing gospel message
about Jesus with me.  Lord, I also thank You for giving me the privilege to
share this powerful message with others.  Lord, please forgive me for the
times I neglected to share the gospel with someone who needed Jesus.  Fill
me afresh with Your Holy Spirit, so that I will look for opportunities to
boldly share this life-changing message, and help others come to know Jesus,
just as someone helped me come to Jesus.  I love You. Amen.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

mtzionontario.com

Today is a Great Day to Worship

Get up and make your way to the house of prayer.

Focus on worshipping God in a right spirit before God, and in the truth of God found in His Word (John 4:23).

One more thing: consider someone that you can encourage to show love (care and concern), and to do good works (Heb. 10:24-25).

Today is a great day to start or continue the spiritual discipline of worshiping God with other saints of God.

God Bless,

Pastor Kennedy,

mtzionontario.com

Sometimes We Are The Problem.

Sometimes we are the problem.  When we humbly face ourselves and allow God to reveal our problem, and the consequences for our actions, we need to cry out to God.  God will answer us and reveal the corrective action we need to follow.  Joshua 6 & 7 paints a nice picture of what I just described.

Here is a great prayer to get us back on track.

Lord, I realize that You have rock solid standards, and I want to obey You

and not think of myself as an exception to Your standards.  Lord show me if
I am stuck, or if my progress is stunted because of some willful
disobedience in my life.  Lord, fix my heart as I cry out to You each day,
so that my heart is pure before You.  Keep my ears open to hear You speak
corrective action into my life and help me to respond to You with
unquestioning obedience.  Lord, if I need to be pruned, I know You are
merciful and gracious and will make me better as you trim away the people
and things in my life that are preventing me from full productivity.  I
submit myself to Your loving touch.  In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. 

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Mtzionontario.com

Happy 93rd Anniversary Mt Zion

On Sunday September 20, 2015, Mt. Zion in Ontario, Calif, celebrates 93 years of ministry.  

In June of 1922, I am convinced that Founding Pastor Aurthor Seaton, and other founding members ask God to bless Mt Zion, and use Mt. Zion.

In answer to their prayers, God made Mt. Zion a blessed church, and God has kept His hand upon Mt Zion.

Join us tomorrow for our 8:00 or 11:00 am services, and for the concert/celebration at 3:30 pm.

At 3:30 we will not only have a concert, but will hear from Pastor Joshua Beckley, and we will ordain several deacons and ministers, and meet some 18-35 year old, next in line leaders.

We will praise Him for the things He has done.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy

Mtzionontario.com

Refuse to Change God's Standards for Your Life

People work overtime to figure out ways to change Christian Standards.  Every serious Christian should feel this pressure.

According to Rom. 12:2, the pressure will continue.

So what do we do?  Refuse to be pressed into the mold of the worlds system.  Instead of changing your Christian Standards, be transformed by your Christian standards.

Let God change your thinking through His Word so that your life will change, and you will know God's good and acceptable, and perfect will for your life.

Rom. 12:2:

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Here is a prayer to help:  Lord, I realize that You have rock solid standards, and I want to obey You and not think of myself as an exception to Your standards. Lord protect me when I am tempted to forget about others and get carried away with the forbidden, and help me to focus on the established standards found in Your Word. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Face Your Overwhelming Odds in Worship

Just as Josuua faced Jericho (overwhelming odds) from a place of worship, you too face your Jericho from a place of worship.

When God unusually shows up to reassure you, as Ge do for Joshua, then you fall on your face and worship Him (Joshua 5:13-15).

From your place of worship, God will speak to you and give you instructions for you to obey all the way to your victory (Joshua 6:1-5).

Here is a suggested prayer as you practice facing your Jericho from a place of worship:

Dear Lord, I thank you for giving me principles to help me worship in the

face of overwhelming odds like Israel's Jericho.  Lord, in the face of my
Jericho, I do not want to fear, panic, doubt, complain, get angry, or take
matters into my hands, but to naturally get quiet and worship You.   Lord,
take me far beyond worshipping You on just Saturday or Sunday.  Lord, take
me deeper with You each day, so that in my place of worship I am reassured
in You, and from my place of worship I go much deeper in my obedience to
You.  Lord, give me victory in my worship, and keep me consistently
conscious of Your presence and Your power.  In the name of Jesus I pray,
Amen.

God Bless

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.
Mtzionontario.com

Avoid Self-Centered Individualism

Christians, we must resist being pulled into the self-centered trap of  individualism where our lives are centered around me, myself, and I.

As cases similar to the Kim Davis, case in Kentucky, becomes more common, we need to realize more than ever our connection as one body in Christ.  Do not for one second believe the Kentucky case is an isolated incident with extreme Chriatian resistance to the same sex marriage law in America.  

Even non-Christians, and hopefully some proponents of same-sex marriage see America going too far in locking up her citizens for practicing religious freedom.

Keep in mind that the laws in this country, except for same-sex marriage law were based on the Bible.  

Christians, revisit how we are connected to each other in I Cor 12:14-21: 

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.

16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?

18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.

19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now there are many members, but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." Passivity, will only lead to the empty depths of the me, myself, and I syndrome. If nothing else, or until this issue comes to your front door, recognize your connection to other Christians, and please pray for God to guide this nation beyond persecuting Christian citizens with jail time for a law that conflicts with our religious freedom. God Bless, Pastor Kennedy Mtzionontario.com

Pray for America

Pray for Kim Davis of Rowan County, Ky., who was jailed for acting upon the Religious Freedom that we are supposed to have in America.  The problem we have today is our Supreme Court stepped outside of their judicial role and assumed a legislative role and intentionally instituted a law that that conflicts with God's Word.

Now we have a Christian in jail in America for following the clear teaching of the Bible; for exercising her religious freedom, which is supposed to be protected under our constitution.

What will happen when Muslims, Jews, Mormons, and others express their religious freedom in this area?  

America, has taken another step to formally shake her fist in the face of God and declare that she will not honor God, nor His Word.

In America, we will have learned to love, and get along with individuals who hold different moral and religious views than what is in the bible. Why now all of a sudden does our government have to put us in jail while we are trying to sort out the mess they created?

Just as using excessive force is wrong, shooting officers for revenge is also wrong.

Pray for families of citizens shot and abused by police officers who deliberately used excessive force.

Let us also pray for families of fallen officers who willingly put themselves in harms way to protect and serve our communities.  

Everyone serious about prayer for America should watch the movie "War Room."  Try to overlook the insulting emphasis on the Black females stars smelly feet.  Totally insulting humor and unnecessary to the storyline.  Yet the message in the movie is undeniably powerful, and will change this country if we practice the biblical principles for prayer in the movie.

God Bless,

Pastor Kennedy,

Mtzionontario.com

Love Drives our Actions

How do we use the freedom we have in Christ?

 

For instance, the Bible does not say, "thou shall not drink."  The Bible says: "do not get drunk..." (Eph. 5:8).

With this knowledge how do you handle your witness for Christ?  How do you live before young Christians, who come out of the "wild party life," where getting "wasted" was a weekend treat?

How do you live in front of the skeptic, who says all Christians are hypocrites, and Christianity is a crutch for the weak?

In I Cor. 8:9, look at what God says about how you use your freedom in Christ: 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak (I Cor. 8:9). Pastor Kennedy, do I drink tonight or not?  Do I dance? Do I play the secular music and dance to it?  What do I do? God gives us the guidelines for using our freedom in Christ for every area in our lives: 1). Let love drive your actions to build people up versus cause confusion and weaken their life before God: "Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies" (I Cor. 8:1). 2). Make sure people see God in what you are doing: "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31). Pastor Kennedy, tell me what to do! Your follow the guide from God's Word and you will know what to do. God Bless, Pastor Kennedy Mtzionontario.com

What are Your Non-Negotiable Values?

Christians, no matter how the culture changes, despite the new styles, new
beliefs, new non-beliefs, and the new laws, certain things for God's
children are non-negotiable.  Set your heart to honor God, and refuse to
compromise your Christian values. 

Here is a prayer to help, based on the non-negotiable principles found in
Joshua 5, when The Children of Israel were barely in the Promised Land.

Lord, I am committed to practicing non-negotiable Promised Land Behavior.
Identifying with You is non-negotiable (I will be clearly identified as Your
child wherever I am). Celebrating to remember Your persistent love is
non-negotiable (I will celebrate the Lord's Supper as a reminder of Your
love as the Children of Israel celebrated Passover). Continuing my daily
dependence on You is non-negotiable (I will depend on You to provide for me
each day), and Reverencing You is non-negotiable (I will worship You each
time You reassure me of Your power and promises).  Father, I am Your child.
Keep my heart set, and my mind made up to never compromise the things that
are non-negotiable.  My Heavenly Father, I anticipate You uniquely showing
up in my circumstances, and when You do, I will worship You.  I love You.
Amen.

God Bless

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, 

Mtzionontario.com

Do Something Spiritually Rewarding

Do something spiritually rewarding this weekend.

Ask God to bring to mind someone who is not in church right now (God might bring a wounded Christian to mind or a non-Christian, etc.)

Make contact with the person(s) and encourage them to be your special guest.

Arrange to pick them up, or meet them prior to church and thank them for keeping their word and coming.

Quickly pray with them and join them in service (see if they will also attend Saturday or Sunday school).

Pray for God to work in their heart during the service, and watch God work a miracle.

After service avoid the temptation to take credit for something you did not and could not do.  Simply praise God that He chose to use you to encourage someone along the way (John 15:16).

If you need a place to worship and service times go to Mtzionontario.com.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr.

Go Inter-Generational

Christians, the bible describes our life together as inter-generational.  Not one age group, not one particular ministry, not one person and a few people around him or her, but all of us together (Rom. 12:5; Titus 2:3-5, women teach younger women; Titus 2:6-8, Elders teach younger men; John 13:34-35; I Cor. 12:12; Deut. 6:3-15, etc.).

When we look closely, we repeatedly see inter-generational activity in the Bible (the crossing of the Red Sea involved all ages,   people in the early church were all ages, and on and on).

Christians, as we do age appropriate ministries, let us also be intentional regarding doing things together as one body in Christ.  Let us also think about ways to work with sister churches the same way.

Church picnics, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School Rally's, or Small Group Rallys, Harvest Festivals, and on and on are examples of the multiple age groups doing things together.

One big caution, make sure you do background checks on people working in children and youth ministries.  Also in other sensitive areas of the church.  Satan loves attacking the church by using people with impure motives.

Today, take time to say something nice to someone outside your age group and then pray for them.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy

mtzionontario.com

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Where Do You Stand With God According to God?

Sometimes we listen to everyone else and fail to listen to God.

Knowing where we stand with God is important.  Moreover, knowing what God says to us about His relationship with us is equally important.

When we genuinely confess Jesus as Lord, and believe that He died for our sins and God raised Him from the dead, God gives us a powerful promise in Rom 8:35-39:

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Walk with confidence in the promises of God. God Bless, Pastor Kennedy Mtzionontario.com

What Will You Say or Do Today?

As I finished reading the Book of Acts, God reminded me that I need to be open, and ready to lovingly share the message about Jesus despite my circumstances.

Paul was in Roman custody and was going to be transferred to Rome for trial because he refused to be tried by the Jews and appealed to Ceasar (Acts 25:9-12).

While in custody in Cesarea (Acts 25:13-14), Paul was given the opportunity to speak to King Agrippa, regarding his case.

What do you think Paul did?  Did Paul focus solely on his case and beg to be set free, or did Paul use his case as a means to witness to a king?

Look at the end result of Paul speaking to a King Agrippa regarding his case in Acts 26:28: Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

What do people say after an encounter with you?

Do they want to be a Christian, or are they disappointed in how you as a Christian treated them?

What are you going to say or do today to make people want to be a Christian?

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy,

Mtzionontario.com

Christian's Making the Church Stronger

What two actions can every Christian practice to make stronger churches around the world? When every Christian is accountable for reporting to others the ministry work they do, then the church will experience a significant increase in ministry.  Christians who simply attend church will start serving because by being accountable, they have to report to someone what they are doing. In Acts 14:27, Paul and his team were accountable: 27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

What if every Christian followed up on other Christians just to see how they are doing?  Church and Bible study attendance would increase.  We would have more excitement in the church due to Christians caring for Christians.

Paul and his team did Followup in 
Acts 15:36:

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."

Christians, when all the dust settles, in this world we really only have each other.

Therefore, let us be accountable to each other, and follow up on each other.

God Bless,

Pastor Kennedy,

Mtzionontario.com

Persist in Your Faith in Christ

As I enjoy reading through the book of Acts, I am reminded afresh to be persistent in my faith in Christ.

When people welcome us and our life as a Christian, and the message that goes with our life, rejoice.

When people criticize us and even persecute us for our life as Christians, rejoice.

Look at what the Apostles did after their second arrest, and second order to stop preaching about The Risen Christ, and after being flogged (beaten with a whip):

Acts 5:41-42:

41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Christians, let us persist in our faith and share the same message of hope when people love us, and when people hate us. God Bless, Pastor Kennedy, Mtzionontario.com

Revival!

One of the great things about areawide revivals is unity building among the local church congregations.  The Christians who attend get to hear a much needed word from the Lord, and experience personal challenge, and change.  The bonas to the personal change, is the wholesome fellowship among the saints.

   I Cor. 12:4-5:

4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

The revival starts this Wednesday and ends on Friday (August  5, 2015).  

The start time is 7:00 pm. each night.

The location is at Mt. Zion, in Ontario, California.

The Sunday School (small group ministry) training is on Saturday 8/8/15, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm (lunch provided by 

In-n-Out Burger).

This training includes a Pastor's Conference, and a conference to establish a prayer ministry in the church .

The traning is free and open to all small group workers, and Pastors.

God Bless,

Pastor Kennedy,

Mtzionontario.com

Make Time for Personal Revival

On Wednesday - Friday (August 5-7, 2015), the Inland Valley Ministers Alliance, is hosting the annual revival at My Zion, in Ontario (224 W. Calif. Street).

Pastor Glenn Sheilds from Progressive Community Church, in Stockton, Ca, is the guest speaker.

With all the stuff that happened in the world just this year (especially to reported incidents of persecution of Christians), we need a Word from the Lord.

Please take time to come hear this man of God with a heart ready for renewal, increase, refreshing, insights, clarification, rededication, challenge, change, healing, and on and on.

Everyone is welcome and make sure you tell someone.

FYI, the alliance choir is leading us in worship.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy,

Mtzionontario.com

Cross Your Jordan River on Dry Land

Everyone has a Jordan River to cross.

The 40 years of wilderness wandering is on this side of the Jordan, and The Promised Land blessing is on the other side.

This is also true for us.  All of our drama from our self-directed life needs to stay on this side of our Jordan River.

You will need a miracle from God so here is a prayer to help:

Lord, I do not want Your promises to be distant dreams, untouchable hopes,
and topics for empty discussion.  I want to experience abundant life by
crossing over from my wilderness wondering into my Promised Land blessings.
Lord, as I leave my wilderness wondering, please show me divine signs to
direct my steps, keep the things that pertain to You in my sight, and Lord
keep me consecrated so that I can see Your wonders, be in harmony with You,
experience a changed life, and gain deeper faith in Your miracle working
power.  Lord, as I cross my Jordan River, keep me sensitive to others, and
realize that my actions can hurt or help others.  I love You.  In the name
of Jesus, I pray, amen.  

God Bless

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.
pastorkennedyMZO.blogspot.com

Picnic in the Park

Mt. Zion Ontario is hosting our annual picnic at Homer Briggs park in Ontario, Calif. today.  This is a great time for us to get caught up and renew our commitment to the Lord and His church while eating, witnessing, and having fun.

If you are struggling with getting back into the Mt. Zion fellowship, let's find some time to talk today.

Everyone in the body is valuable and we need each other to fulfill the vision God have given for Mt. Zion.

Christians, God uses local congregations to do His work all over the world.  Get in a Christ-centered local congregation and use your spiritual gift(s) to advance God's kingdom.

Be more than a consumer of the ministries offered at church, be a contributor.  Give your God given time, talents, and treasures to make a difference in the world for Christ.

Trust me, every loving Pastor is looking to see the people entrusted to his care.

Refuse to make excuses and get to church, and get involved.

God Bless

Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr.

Valuing Black People

During April 7th through July 15, 1994, almost one million black people killed black people in Rwanda, Africa, while the world (including the United States) stood by and watched.  Wait!  Before you get angry with the U.S., who did the actual killing?  Black people.

In 2007 to 2010, 270 school aged children were shot and killed (70% of them were black children).

Over 400 school aged children were shot in gang violence in Chicago in 2012, and 66 of them died (most of them black).

How could several years of the kiling of school aged black children continue in the most powerful country in the world?

I do not need to review the soaring numbers for black on black crimes in America. I definitely do not care to mention how Black people freely use the offensive "n" word toward each other in music, movies, and in public and personal interaction.

In America (July 2015), we have another Black person mistreated, and is now dead while in police custody (Sandry Bland).

Note: please do not blame the death of Sanda or others in police custody on the majority of hard working police, who willingly protect and serve us daily.

My point?  Until Black people start valuing black people, we will continue to undervalue each other, and continue to destroy each other, while the world stands by and watches.

If we undervalue and mistreat each other, why do we expect others to value us?

Christians (all skin colors), we can make a difference by intentionally showing the love of Jesus toward black people (I did not say cripple unaccountable black people with a bunch of handouts, but simply love black people like Jesus loves).

Christians, in Christ, everyone has equal value (including black people).  Look at just three passages on this issue:

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Eph. 2:10). 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). 12 "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 7:12). Christians, we can change the age old practice of devaluing black people by using love, which is the most powerful force in the world (Rom. 5:6-8). God Bless, Pastor Brian Kennedy Mtzionontario.com

Be Encouraged

While we wait for our Lord to return, we have "The Helper" (the Holy Spirit), Who will guide us into all truth.  Everywhere we turn, all kinds of information gets in our face.  We live in the Information Age, and we need to discern truth from lies.  We also need to discern the ways of God from the ways of the world.

As we discern truth from error, good from bad, what is joyful and what is sad, and deal with the difficulty connected to our relationship to Our Lord, we have encouragement from our Lord.

33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr.

Mtzionontario.com

Continue to Pray

When we consistently use God's Word to speak to contemporary issues, and people move toward a relationship with Jesus, and the enemies strongholds are threatened, the enemy will fight to keep people in darkness.

Christians, spiritual warfare is fierce fighting and you can expect to come under attack as we speak truth in love.

Christians, we have experienced numerous enemy attacks on our missions trip here in Mississippi, but God has given us the victory each time.

Today is our last day of ministry for this trip.  Please keep us in prayer.  We are expecting God to work more miracles in people's lives today.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy,

Mtzionontario.com

He must Increase, but we must decrease

John the Baptist was called by God to pave the way for Jesus.  As Jesus started His earthy ministry and was baptizing, John's disciples were a bit confused about all the people going to Jesus to get baptized versus John.  But John was not confused regarding the best way to fulfill his role.  John included in his reply our Tchula missions work theme for this week.  Look at John 3:30:

30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." When things get tough this week, decrease. When money and people get funny, decrease. Whatever happens that could cause you to step in the flesh, decrease.  You step down and step back, and let Jesus take center stage in your life, and handle your situation. Decrease! God Bless, Pastor Brian Kennedy Mtzionontario.com