What Goes Around Comes Around

You did wrong in the past, and let it go.  You did not get right with God or the people or person you hurt.  Nothing happened to you so you think you got away with a wrong from the past.

After mistreating their brother Joseph, and lying by telling their father Joseph was dead, Joseph's brothers recognized that their past sin finally caught up with them.

Look at Genesis 42:21-22:

Then they said to one another, "Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us."

22 Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Joseph did not panic or seek revenge, but in the moment his brothers sold him into slavery, he cried out to his brothers for mercy, but they ignored him.  They did not listen and now their words fell on deaf ears, and they realized they got by for a short time, but they did not get away (read the whole story Gen. 37-50). Christians, what we sow, we will reap.  Good will come to us for our good deeds, and we will pay for our bad deeds (Galatians 6:7-8). If you have something from your past and you did not get right with God and the people you hurt, get it right, by confessing what you did wrong, and asking the person(s) to forgive you, so that God will give you His mercy (I John 1:9; Matthew 5:23-24; Isaiah 55:7). Trust God on this and simply obey Him. God Bless, Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr.

When Your World is Turned Upside Down

In Gen. 37 & 39, Joseph's, world was turned upside down.

His blood brothers hated him.

His brothers plotted to kill him.

His brothers threw him in a pit.

His brothers sold him into slavery.

He became a slave for the Director of Pharaoh's Secrect Service.

He caught an attempted rape case because he rejected the sexual advances of Potiphar's wife.  She falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape.

Joseph was convicted of rape, without a fair trial, and thrown in federal prison.

Joseph's world was thrown upside down several times.  But we do not see him panicking or seeking revenge.

In Gen. 39:1-3, the Bible says God's hand was on him.

In Gen 39:21-23, the Bible again say that God was with Joseph.

Christian's in our Westernized training, we are taught to eliminate our competition, and pursue getting on top by all means necessary (cheat, steal, walk on people, cut people out, just get on top).

We learn from Joseph that when God is with us, He will work on our behalf even when our world is turned upside down.  

Hold on to God's promises, and watch God work.  This is obviously easier said than done, but get your promises from God in your heart, and hold on to them tight, and watch God work on your behalf.

Christian's, watch God with eyes of unwavering faith (II Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:6).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Trust God?

Whatever you are going through today, trust God!

Call on Him.  He is waiting to her your cry.  In fact, God leans in, and is eager to hear from us.  

Listen to this: I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications.

2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live (Psalm 116:1-2).

Whatever you are going through is a burden right?  It is on your mind, and it is heavier than the norm.  It adds a noticeable weight to what you are already dealing with.  Right?

Listen to this: Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (I Peter 5:6-7).

Wait, one more thing.  When dealing with a long term matter that has you sick and tired of being sick and tired, and not knowing what to say to God at this point, read Romans 8:26-28.

Christians, on this day, let us all trust God (Proverbs 3:5-6).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Reflecting on Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.

As each of us reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we must consider our personal commitment to continue the justice, and equity, for which he gave

His life to secure.  We must consider the personal sacrifice we will make today, and our plan tomorrow, to make someone more successful, improve a produce, or a system for the good of society.

When our selfish side is pushing for self-preservation, power, and self-gratification, we must use God's power to push our godly side to love others through personal sacrifice, service, and righteousness (Matt. 5:16; Gal. 6:10: Eph. 2:10).

God Bless,

Let's Talk about Revenge

This Weekend's sermon deals with revenge.

Our society have a preoccupation with revenge.  Even couples who want to get back at the person who hurt them are posting revenge videos on-line.

I will discuss a Biblical character preoccupied with revenge, and then discuss how to defeat the powerful spirit of revenge.

Saturday Service at 5:00 pm.

Sunday Services 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am (224 W. California Street, Ontario,Calif.

The messages are streamed at 11:00 am pacific standard time.  Go to Mtzionontario.com and click USTREAM.

If you miss Sunday, the message should be posted on our Website by Monday Night.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Take time to Pray

Sampson was called by God to begin to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression.

Because he neglected to pray and ask God for direction, he aimlessly wandered into self-gratifying pursuits, and violated his godly values.

Sampson could have been much more effective against the Philistines.  We can also be more effective in our calling.  The most critical step is for us to stop and pray, and get God's directions.

Here is a prayer to help:

Dear Lord, I want to draw close to You, and stay close to You through my

prayer life.  Lord, help me to consistently talk to You so that I do not get
stuck aimlessly wandering into self-gratifying pursuits, and so that I do
not ignore my Christian values.  Lord, I never want to hurt anyone's
spiritual growth by my actions.  Please help me to experience the power of
the Holy Spirt inside of me keeping me in an attitude of prayer throughout
the day.  Lord, thank You for never being too busy, and always inclining
your ear to hear my prayers.  Lord, I love You deeply, and I will call on
You all the days of my life.  Amen.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Do You Stand Out to God?

Look at Genesis 6:6-8: The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

7 The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Despite all the evil that spread throughout the earth, God saw a righteous man named Noah.   When God looks at you and how you are living, what does He see? Christians, live such that God smiles on you, and will not hesitate to use you as He used Noah to accomplish His eternal plan.  God Bless, Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Unchecked Anger is Not Okay

Unchecked anger is very dangerous and must be dealt with.  The classic example of what happens when we allow our anger to fester is found in Genesis 4:6-8:

6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

God said anger must be mastered.  Here is a suggestion:

1. Ask God to help you identify the source of your anger.

2. Ask God to help you properly address the person or persons you are angry with (writing a letter explaining what happened and how it made you feel is very helpful).

Include in the letter the fact that you talked to God about what they did and that you forgive them.

Stamp the letter and drop it in the mail if possible.

If the person is deceased, do a ceremony and tear the letter up at the end, and throw it in the trash (this helps bring closure).

3.  Ask God to guard your heart so that when you see that person again you will be nice to them.  You may or may not get close, but you do have to forgive and be loving (Rom. 12:17-21).

Christians, put anger in check by following the above process.

If you are in a dangerous situation, or a criminal situation, etc., immediately get professional help.

God Bless,