When God Closes a Door, Look for the Other Door

Why do we who serve in ministry act like God is somehow against us when He closes one or two, or a few doors?  As if God does not want us to grow.  God all of His Great Commission oriented ministries to grow as He sees fit.  You may lead a "mega" ministry are a smaller ministry, just make sure you are leading a growing ministry as directed by the Holy Spirit versus a competition with others driven ministry.

God oftentimes closes one or more doors in ministry because He has another door open for us.

In Acts 16, we gain some invaluable principles regarding God opening and closing doors.

As God closes ministry opportunities, we need to look for the direction of the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-8).  Notice Paul never got discouraged but continued to pursue kingdom expansion.

Recognize when the Holy Spirit is clearly speaking regarding the ministry (Acts 16:6; 10).  Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guild us into all truth (John 16:13).  Witnessing and seeing people's lives changed is a great indication that we are on the right track (Acts 16:14-15, 23-40).

Do not wait around when the Holy Spirit gives clear direction; get busy doing the work He called you to do where He called you to do the work (Acts 16:9-15).

Christians, I trust you do not write off dreams as an outdated mode of communication from God.  Pay attention to detailed dreams because The Holy Spirit can still speak through dreams.

Enjoy growing ministry governed by the Holy Spirit.

God Bless,

Pastor Kennedy (MZO)

Where is Your Level of Commitment?

On this last Sunday of the year, what is your level of commitment to kingdom work.

Surely you are committed to something and perhaps many things, but today check your level of commitment to The Work of Christ.

After Paul and Barnabas stopped a crowd from worshiping them becaused they healed a man, some men came in town and convinced the people to stone Paul (what a crazy outcome for healing someone and preaching a great message).

Paul did not die from the stoning, but got up went back into town, then left the next day to help people in another town and then returned to the city where he was stoned.  Look at Acts 14:21-22, and check out some serious commitment to the work:

21 After they had evangelized that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch,

22 strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God.”   Christians, the work of Christ is not always convenient.  The work of Christ is not always a celebration.  Sometimes ministry gets tough, and we can be persecuted while doing the work, just as Paul and crew were persecuted.   What will you do during your difficult days in ministry? Will you quit and start questioning God when ministry gets tough, or will you remain faithful to our Lord, Who called us into service? Remember what you say during to good times is easier to say than during the tough times. Christians, make the right decision. God Bless, Pastor Kennedy (MZO)

Give People Jesus

In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas and other believers served as missionaries and sailed to Antioch in Pisidia.

They attened the sabbath service and were invited to give some words of encouragement.  Paul motioned to the people and began to speak.

Christians, we must always be ready to speak for the Lord, and yet like Paul be creative in our approach by meeting the people where they are.  As we share we must work our way to the gospel message (the message about Jesus).  Before we sit down, or end our conversation, we must have introduced Jesus and given people an opportunity to personally come to know Jesus.

Look at the end of Paul's message in Acts 13:38-39: 

38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you,

39 and everyone who believes in Him is justified from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses. Christians, in the midst of a culture that is really hungry for the living Word, let us give people Jesus.  Yes some people are jealous and some are hostile, but the majority are hungry for the living Word.  Let us lift Him (Jesus) up for every man, woman, boy and girl to see. Give people Jesus. God Bless, Pastor Kennedy, MZO

For Maximum Outcomes, Get Help

One of the great lessons we learn in Acts 11 is that we must avoid the "Lone Ranger" mentality. After the stoning of Stephen, the early church grew beyond Jerusalem.  In Antioch the church needed support and the Apostles sent Barnabas.  Take a glimpse at his ministry and what he teaches us: Acts 11:24-26: 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.

25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;

26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Did Barnabas try to do all the ministry in Antioch alone? We have no indication that Barnabas was a complainer, nor of him being a "glory hound" (a person who wants all the credit for group accomplishments). Barnabas saw the great ministry opportunity in Antioch and sought out Saul (Paul to Apostle) to help him. Together, and certainly with other helpers, Barnabas and Paul got much more done as a team than Barnabas could do alone. Get some help and maximize your ministry opportunities. God Bless, Pastor Kennedy (MZO)

Mary Christmas

I simply want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and God's richest blessings upon you in 2015 year.

God Bless, 

Pastor Kennedy (MZO)

Cross Cultural Ministry

On this Christmas Eve, is God moving you to encourage someone in another race, who does not look like you, and they have different practices, and may have a different belief about Jesus than yours (this might be different for you).

look at a few verses in Acts 10, and see what happened with Cornelius and the Apostle Peter: This is what happened to Cornelius in a dream.   Acts 10:4: Looking intently at him, he became afraid and said, “What is it, lord? ” The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God. This is what happened to Peter:  Acts 4:15: 15 Again, a second time, a voice said to him, “What God has made clean, you must not call common.” While men from Cornelius were knocking on Peters door God said:  Acts 10:20: Get up, go downstairs, and accompany them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.” When Peter arrived at Cornelius' home and was told why he was invited: Acts 10:34:  Then Peter began to speak: “Now I really understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. 36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all... While Peter was preaching: Acts 10:44: 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message.... Christians, the non-Jews received the gospel and became Christians through the message given by Peter (a Jew) in a home full of non-Jews (not the norm). All this happened because a non-Jewish man and a Jewish man obeyed God. Sometimes we do not know where God is ultimatemately leading us in doing cross cultural ministry so we must leave our hearts open, be available, and practice unquestioning obedience to God. God Bless, Pastor Kennedy (MZO)

What do you keep doing?

Look at Acts 5:42:  And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

After being flogged (to strike or beat repeatedly), the Apostles and early Christians continued to teach and preach Jesus as the Christ.

I noticed several things that was included in their preaching and teaching ministry from Acts 1-5.

1) Authentic miracles were connected to their ministry.

2) They had boldness in carrying out the Great Commission.

3) They endured persecution with joy.

4) They preached the whole message of the Christian life (the Apostles doctrine).

5) They were on one accord (in unity).

6) They continued to fellowship.

7) They continued in prayer.

What are you consistently doing to build the kingdom of God?

God Bless,

Pastor Kennedy (MZO)