Confident Humility

Christian's overstating our abilities just to get our foot in the door is described in Proverbs 25:14: A person who promises a gift but doesn't give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. NLT

Christians our making false or exaggerated statements about who we are, and what we can do, is not only disappointing, but it hurts the credibility of all Christians.

Let us be humble, yet very confident in our Lord to enable us, and open opportunities for us to not just survive, but thrive (Eph. 3:20-21).

Challenge:  Make getting to church this weekend a priority, and call or bring someone not in church,  

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr.

Breakthrough Prayer

Hannah in I Samuel 1, prayed a breakthrough prayer, and told the Priest after being falsely accused of being drunk, that she poured her soul out before the Lord regarding her beat down and broken condition (I Samuel 1:9-19).  That other wife irritated Hannah by constantly agitating her.  That other wife, got on Hannah's last nerves, plus her husband only recognized her broken heart, but did not really understand her broken condition (I Samuel 1:8).

Christian's, when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, pray a breakthrough prayer like Hannah prayed. Get immediate relief, hope, and a change in attitude.  You might have the same circumstances temporarily like Hannah, who had to travel back home with that other woman still talking trash.  But also like Hannah, you will deal with your circumstance differently (I Samuel 1:19). The bills are still due, that person is still acting up, etc.  Like Hannah, your face will no longer be sad (I Samuel 1:18).

Here is a prayer to consider: 

Father, thank You for giving us the prayer of Hannah.  I can feel with
Hannah's pain from facing a difficult condition, being irritated to the
point of anger, being discouraged and even heartbroken because of evil
people.  Lord, I can also relate to Hannah regarding being misunderstood by
people in my home, and even some people at church.  I am glad that I can cry
out to You with a breakthrough prayer.  I am glad You will lift the heavy
burden weighing down my heart, and give me relief, hope, and a new attitude.
Lord, I will call upon You all the days of my life.  I love You deeply.  In
the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. 

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Senior Pastor

You can hear this Sermon on mtzionontario.com by 2/25/16.

Distinguish Yourself

Do you remember your High School graduation?  Did you want to stand out among your fellow students as your own person?  Did you want to blend in, or be distinguished?

What makes you different today?  Do you stand out in some unique way?

Keep this matter of distinguishing yourself simple.  Listen to what God says about it in Proverbs 20:11: "It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right."

Christian's, just do what is pure and right, and watch God give you a unique distinction that stands out.

Ask yourself this weekend what is pure and righteous.  Then simply do what is pure and righteous.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

The Power of a Soft Answer

A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger (Prov. 16:1).

Why is it so easy to return evil for evil?

Why is it so easy to return a harsh answer to others negativity?

Christian's in our flesh, it is easier to do wrong than to do right.  In our flesh, it is easier to hurt and tear someone down than to build them up.

The problem with harsh and destructive responses to others negativity is, responding negatively is just as natural for them as it is for you.  They hurt you, then you naturally hurt them, then they will naturally hurt you into an endless cycle of each of you hurting one another.

Christian's, we must decide to break negative relationship cycles, by bringing light into a situation with our deliberate practice of giving a soft answer.

Try following God's way, and witness the power of a soft, Spirit filled response toward negative people.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr

Walk with Unwavering Faith

Can you imagine being Moses leading over one million people through the Red Sea?  Whoever walked through a sea before?

Was Moses timid or intrepid?

Did he walk between the huge walls of water wondering if the water would collapse on he and the people, or did Moses walk on the dry bottom of the Red Sea with unwavering faith?

Remember Exodus 14:13-14: But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.

14 "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."

The next thing we know, the Children of Israel were walking through the Red Sea on dry land, and God destroyed to powerful Egyptian army.

Christian's our confidence in God in the face of overwhelming odds drives us to walk through our Red Sea like circumstances, with unwavering faith.

Today, get unstuck, get up, and move forward.  God will deliver you as He promised.  But you need to start walking with unwavering faith in Him.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian Kennedy, Sr.

Engage the Living God in Prayer

In Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus gave us several principles that guarantees a meaningful experience with God when we pray.  In verses 5-8, Jesus teaches us how to get into the throne room with God (don't pray to be seen by others, pray with an inner room mentality, and pray with expectations).

Then in verses 9-15, Jesus teaches us to freely engage God in prayer (worship, submit, request, and worship).

Christian's, the real thing for us to do is take time throughout each day and pray.

Here is one of my prayers that incorporates the "The Lord's Model Prayer:"

Father, You are beyond anything I can think of describe.  Your willingness to engage me simply to have relationship with me versus oppress me or demand unreasonable things from me is humbling.  Lord, Your name is above every name, and I adore you, and bow down before you.  Your love for me makes me very secure, and very trusting of You, and I submit myself afresh to Your perfect will for my life.  Lord, I am depending on You for my daily provisions, to get reconciliation in my relationships, and to get victory over temptation.  Father, You are the King over the kingdom forever, You have all the power forever, and You have all the glory forever.  I love You deeply.  In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

God's Mercy Window of Ministry Opportunity

Judges 16, Sampson finally woke up and took his calling by God seriously.  He was distracted most of his adult life with the enemy's women.  The last Philistine woman he dealt with got him into serious trouble with God.  She had his hair cut and he lost his power.

While humiliated in a Philistine prison (I call it the Philistine Federal Penitentiary, at Gaza City), God showed Samson a mercy window of opportunity.  

I am not sure wher you are today, but God is giving you another chance to serve Him.  Here is a prayer to help you move forward:

Dear Lord, thank You for being the God of all mercy, and

giving me another chance.  I admit I had some days just like Samson, where I
was distracted and operated independently of You, but now I see the mercy window of ministry opportunity that You opened just for me.  Lord, I do not want to repeat my past mistakes and blow off Your work as insignificant.
Therefore, keep me close to You in prayer, keep me in fellowship with the
right people, and keep me in Your Word.  Father, as I humbly serve You, I
desire total satisfaction in You, and for You to find satisfaction in me.  I
love You.  In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.
mtzionontario.com