Just Do Right!

God said: “He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out” (Prov. 10:9).
At the annual World Vision Pastor’s Gathering, I heard an insightful panel discussion about justice and racial reconciliation in the church.  Chi Chi Okwu, Jenny Potter, and Austin Brown, powerfully articulated how we don’t need more of the “let’s be friend’s” approach to racial reconciliation, but we need to acknowledge our systemic racist practices, and do things that reflect anti-racism in the church by pursuing justice.  Help the underfunded school, show mercy and loving acts in communities living with fear, poverty, and under-representation.  We need to practice what Jesus said in Matt. 25:34-40, regarding the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and prisoners.
May I add, this type of ministry naturally opens the door for the gospel to go forth with power.
Christians, this is a matter of integrity; it is just doing what is right before God.

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Replace the Old with the New!

Replace the Old with the New!

Once you become a Christian you get to experience new things.  The old things are past away (the old bad habits, negative beliefs, leaving God out and doing your own thing, etc), and new things have come (II Corinthians. 5:17).
Are you “sick and tired of being sick and tired” of the same old stuff dragging you down, depressing you, and leaving a trail of disappointment?
This is a new year, replace your “old life“ practices with “new life” practices, one at a time.
For instance: ask God to remove the taste of drugs and or alcohol out of your mouth, and every time you get an urge, drink water and pray.
Ask God to clean up your language, and before you cuss, quote your favorite bible verse and pray.
Instead of making excuses for not attending church, start worshipping God and praying at home, and then get ready for church, and bring worship and prayer with you.
You will have to fight for your “new life” practices, but if you eliminate one “old life” practice at a time, by the end of this year, you will rejoice over numerous victories vs. being depressed again over the agony of defeat.
Christians, replace the old with the new!

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Tonight?

Hey Christians!  What do you have planned tonight?
Be in a space where you can celebrate what God brought you through in 2019.
You are invited to the celebration at MT Zion Church of Ontario which kicks off at 7:30 pm with the Movie: “God’s Not Dead,” plus food, fun, kid bouncers, games, spoken word, open baptism, praise dance, Lords Supper, and prayer for the New Year.
Whatever and wherever your plans, remember, you are a Christian and God expects you to point people to Jesus: “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (I Cor. 10:31).

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Stick to Your Faith in God!

As you make bold statements about  God, and cooperate with Him to do the humanly impossible, stick to your faith in God.  Why?  Because the enemy will attack by causing you to doubt what God promised.  You will be tempted to “walk by sight” and do things in your human strength, which hinders God-sized outcomes.
Ezra, the priest and scribe, was ashamed to ask King Artaxerxes for a military escort back to Jerusalem because he said to the king: “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him” (Ezra 8:22).
The long trip back home was full of unknowns.  Ezra had to stick to his faith.  As you approach Christmas, and the challenges in the new year, no matter what, stick to your faith in God.

Merry Christmas,
Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Give the Greatest Gift!

The giving spirit that accompanies Christmas flows from our God Who gave Jesus as the greatest gift to the world (John 3:16; Matt. 1:21).
As you complete last minute shopping, attend various gatherings, attend church, and exchange gifts, be intentional about sharing “The Greatest Gift” with family, friends, and others as God gives you opportunity.
1. Share God’s Love (John 3:16).
2. Share our problem (Rom. 3:23).
3. Share God’s solution (Rom. 5:8).
4. Share our responsibility (Rom. 10:9-10).

Have A Merry Christmas
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Amazing Dreams Come True

With all the Christmas stories playing on IOn TV with amazing dreams coming true, why not seek am amazing dream for yourself.  Seek restoration in a broken relationship.  We celebrate Christmas because God pursued something amazing.  Namely restoration from a broken relationship with you and me (John 3:16).  Jesus aligned with God The Father and declared: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).  Amazing!
Christian’s, let’s follow Jesus and reach out to seek restoration in broken relationships and experience an amazing dream come true.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Just Say: “Thank You”

Momma always taught us that people do not have to be nice, and when they are, say thank you.  After pastoring at Mt. Zion church of Ontario for 21 years, the Mt. Zion family, and friends once again graciously expressed their love to my family and to me.  Thank you Mt. Zion and friends for being loving.  Romans 12:5, describes us as many members of one body intricately connected together, which makes us an eternal family.  After 21 years, I am still delighted to serve alongside of my Mt. Zion family.  We are not a perfect church, but we are a church committed to loving God (Matt. 12:28-30), loving each other (John 13:34-35), loving others (Mark 12:31), and pursuing the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).

Christians, join me in praising God for His loving people at Mt. Zion, Ontario.

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.