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