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January 26, 2012

 

 

It is true, last week it happened to me…I realized that I was being followed.  It was late in the evening after a revival meeting in Clarkesville; I was headed back home from the church service when I suspected someone was on my trail.  The route from Clarkesville to Loganville is approximately 90 miles, and for a majority of the trip I was being followed closely.  

 

From my rear-view mirror I observed the vehicle as it made every turn with me.  On the ramp at 985, it (the dark monster with two bright eyes) crept in behind me.  For twenty miles the vehicle stayed on my bumper switching lanes harmoniously with me.   Tired, anxious and somewhat nervous I sought for my escape.  At last! My exit at Oakwood, finally I could find some relief from this nervous ride.  I turned right off the ramp to Oakwood and it immediately turned on its blinker.  Off the ramp in Oakwood and to the left I waited anxiously as to what move it would make…you guessed it, to the left with me.  I then turned right down 211 until I came into Winder, the entire way I bounced my eyes from the road to the mirror, from the road to the mirror, from the road to the mirror.  Down a few pig trails I went  until I came to Highway 81- this time I did not put on my blinker when I came to the intersection, neither did the dark monster.  I turned right headed south to Loganville but to no avail, it was still with me.  This has been the longest hour of my life. 

 

By this time I am convinced that someone, or something, is out to get me.  For the next ten miles I am contemplating what moves to make in case I hear shots being fired.  With my cell phone in hand I have already dialed 9.1……then all of a sudden it turns off…whewwww.  The darkness following me has found another victim.

 

Just a few more miles until I reach my home and it occurred to me I was still being followed.  No scary dark monsters, no bright shining lights behind me, no lions, or tigers or bears.  No, the Lord brought Psalm 23 into my heart and mind.  David said, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”  I realized at that moment I was being followed.  It is true….believers everywhere are being followed.  The goodness and the mercy of God is hot on our trail, not to bring evil, fear, or despair; no, but to bring the blessings and the benefits of God.

 

I am so thankful that on a late, dark evening, seemingly all alone, I was being followed by Goodness and Mercy.  As we are making our journey home we have the promise of being tracked and followed by God.

Thank God for rear-view mirrors!

 

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 23, 2012

 

 

The Lord wants us to bear fruit.  As a matter of fact, this is the natural order of creation.  On the third day, God created the vegetative world and ordered it to produce after its kind.  He placed within each plant, tree, shrub, bush, and flower a seed to bring forth fruit.  Throughout the history of the world this has been the divine order.  God has designed creation in such a way to be self-producing.  Again, the Lord wants us to bear fruit. 

 

I believe it is safe to assume that rational, well-meaning Christians want to bear fruit as well.  There is not a farmer or gardener I know that wants to work fervently in his garden without any results.  There is not a businessperson I know that wants his or her investment to yield no profit.  There is not a parent I know that wants to see their child amount to nothing.  There is not a pastor I know that wants his church to be stagnant and indifferent with God.  Whether we admit it or not, most of us want to be good, productive, fruit-bearing Christians- we want to be successful at whatever we do.  So why is it we struggle with bearing fruit as believers? 

 

I believe the answer is simple: while God wants us to bear fruit, and we ourselves want to bear fruit, the enemy certainly does not; so he hinders us as we labor in the field for Christ.  In Matthew 13, Jesus gave the parable of the wheat and the tares.  He illustrated the hindrances used by the enemy to encumber the people of God.  Some of these tactics are still in place today.  Consider what Satan will use against you as you try to bear fruit:

 

1. He Will Use Darkness- the Word of God declares that “while men slept” the enemy came in and sowed tares among the wheat.  It is no accident that he chose to invade the field during the dark hours of the night.  Consider what darkness will do to the people of God- it will cause us to stumble, it will cause us to sleep, and it will cause us to be scared.  Do not allow these dark days to hinder you from producing fruit.  Be the light of the world God has called you to be.

 

2. He Will Use Distractions- after the enemy sowed the tares, some time passed until one day the laborers saw the tares among the wheat.  Immediately their labor halted and their fears were embraced.  All of a sudden, this little nuisance among the wheat had distracted them from the harvest.  Satan still uses little distractions today to keep us from bearing fruit.  People, problems, and pleasures will affect your labor if not closely monitored.  It is amazing how quickly we can get off course with little distractions.

 

3. He Will Use Discouragement- once the laborers discovered the tares they immediately approached their Master with a discouraged spirit.  All of the cultivating, sowing, and laboring seemed to be in vain; so they asked the Lord if they should dig it all up.  They were ready to quit on the harvest.  We all get discouraged from time to time, but we should be careful not to allow that discouragement to hinder us from bearing fruit.

 

The Master gave them the answer they needed to hear: Keep Being Farmers! Keep Being Faithful! Keep Being Fervent! and at the end of the world You will be Fruitful!

 

Are you hindered today?  Don’t allow the enemy to rob you from the fruit God wants you to produce.

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 20, 2012

 

 

For most of the year it is folded up in the corner of our basement and used primarily to hang bags of old clothes.  I must admit, I had to clean the cobwebs off before I could set it up in the workout room.  Although we purchased it many years ago it has only been used for brief periods of time.  Most of you probably have one, but if you are like me you do not use it very often.  No, I am not talking about the Bible; I am talking about the treadmill.  Although I am trying to muster up the mental strength to begin my daily workouts, I have found the “spirit is willing… but the gut is weak.”   

 

Yesterday was my first attempt at getting back on track.  Slowly I walked down our steps into the dungeon, I mean basement.  I hesitantly approach this awkward machine in the same manner my dad approaches the internet- slow, and with great reluctance.  I unenthusiastically look for a drop cord to plug in this behemoth.  Then I adjust the grade on the belt so that I can walk at the lowest possible level.  I then realize that I left my IPod upstairs.  Grudgingly I walk up the stairs once again and find that it takes thirty minutes to untangle the earphones (a slight exaggeration).  Back down the steps I go, but not before I see the bag of Reese’s cups.  Fighting strong temptation I realize that I have not taken one step, but I am already exhausted.  

 

 I ran almost a mile and a half and then took a nap.  Just before the nap I thought about the connection between a treadmill and our spiritual walk with God.  Just a few thoughts about treadmill theology:

 

1. It can be extremely difficult to get motivated.  Like any other discipline in our lives, we must work hard at staying positive and encouraged as we progress our relationship with the Lord.  Oftentimes, the hardest part about walking with God is getting started.

 

2. We must get plugged in.  Without the proper power point there will not be any activity.  Spiritually speaking we must get connected; we must get plugged in if we plan on walking with the Lord.

 

3. Sometimes it feels like we are going nowhere.  Although I jogged for nearly 20 minutes, I literally stayed in the same spot.  The Christian life can sometimes feel the same way.  You may work extremely hard at your walk with God and feel like you are absolutely not moving forward an inch.

 

4. It pays off.  Even though I started pessimistically, I know that walking on the treadmill is good for me.  It strengthens me.  It helps my heart, my breathing, my mood, my quality of life- so does walking with the Lord!

 

Dust it off, plug it in, charge up some good music, and start walking!

 

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 19, 2012

 

 

According to a new study from Loyola University, social networks like Facebook and Twitter are cited in 1 out of 5 divorces.  Facebook is actually the number 1 destination for evidence that can be used against you in a court of law. With one click of the mouse the entire world can learn where you are, who you are with, what you are doing, and what kind of mood you are in.

 

These social outlets, like anything else, can be a great resource for staying connected, however, if not properly monitored, they can also be used to air dirty (and may I add stinky) laundry.  We have all seen the unnecessary comments and remarks from people who are disgruntled about whatever circumstance they are facing. 

 

People who claim to be Christians must go above and beyond the call of duty to protect themselves.  Above that, we as believers must take into great consideration how our testimonies are affected through careless and thoughtless words on a computer screen.  In one remark or reply homes can be destroyed, friendships can be severed, churches can be divided, and lives can be changed.  Before you Post…Ponder.  Before you Click….Consider.   Before you Reply….Reflect.

 

I believe we should filter our thoughts and responses before we post, not only because the world can see, but also because our Heavenly Father sees as well.  Have you ever thought that God is on Facebook too?  Here are a few points to ponder before you post:

 

  • Will this bring a reproach upon the Lord Jesus Christ? My family? My church? My testimony?
  • Am I posting this out of anger and frustration? 
  • What is the intent and motivation behind what I am going to say?
  • Are any of my words, language, and vocabulary questionable?
  • Will this in any way hurt someone’s feelings? 
  • Can this be taken out of context?
  • Most importantly, will this bring honor to the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 18, 2012

 



 I will never forget when Brady and Drew received their first BB Guns.  They were so excited as they took their “weapon” in hand and prepared to face the dark patch of woods at the edge of our subdivision.  In the distance we saw a small area that would be ideal to sit and wait for whatever varmint came along.  As we began our journey through the woods they were thrilled with anticipation about being a “wild-game hunter.”  It didn’t take long until their minds were changed.

     

Getting to our desired location required marching through a briar patch.  Like unwelcomed guests in the forest, we were suddenly surrounded by the piercing and penetrating plants.  Before we knew it our flannel shirts were caught on the bushes.  Trying to untangle ourselves from the grip of death it happened- the briar patch tasted flesh.  Ripped to pieces we finally reached our destiny. We sat in the cold for a few hours, and saw absolutely nothing.  Interestingly enough, we had a great time. 

     

After we made our way back home I asked the boys how they enjoyed their first hunting adventure.  They said they loved it but both of them agreed that they hated one thing- the thorns.

     

I must agree with them.  I do not like thorns either.  Thorns bring pain and remind us that we live in a sin-cursed world.  Thorns hurt, and they teach us that sometimes life hurts.  Trials, temptation, tears, troubles, tumults, testings....thorns.

 

As much as I dislike thorns, I must admit that I do enjoy the fragrance of the rose.  It's ironic that one of the sweetest smells on earth is associated with the curse of mankind.  It reminds me that Christ wore a crown of thorns....our thorns, our curse, our pain, our hurt, our suffering, our sin.  Imagine that- the Rose of Sharon, the sweetest fragrance in the world bore the sins of humanity.

 

You see, thorns may hurt for awhile, but they are ultimately designed to bring us into the presence of the Rose of Heaven.  Today you may be going throught a "thorny" trial...you may be walking through the briar patch of life...may I encourage you- find the Rose among your thorns.

 

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 11, 2012

 

 

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."  Colossians 1:10

 

Vision Night is always a special time for our church because it is the night we share with our people the goals, vision, and burden for the New Year.  This past Sunday evening many of our people gathered as we revealed the new theme for 2012.  It comes from Colossians 1:10- "Being Fruitful in Every Good Work."  The Lord has given us an incredible opportunity and responsibility to make a difference in our generation through the various ministries at our church.  If we are going to be fruitful in every good work, we must ask ourselves the question, "How can our ministries bring the most honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ?"  This year we seek to improve every work in our church in order to produce eternal fruit.

What does it mean to Be Fruitful in Every Good Work?

 

1. It Means Being Pleasing unto the Lord- "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing"

  • The word "pleasing" means "an overwhelming desire to make someone happy"
  • Pleasing the Lord must be the motivation behind every ministry at our church
  • We must filter every aspect of our ministries through this question, "Is what we are doing pleasing unto God?"

 

2. It Means Being Productive for the Lord- "...being fruitful in every good work"

  • The minstry at Cross Roads Baptist Church is a good work
  • It is our goal that every single ministry will be executed with a spirit of excellence
  • Having productive minstries (fruit) involves People, Planting, Patience, Pruning, and Precision.

 

3. It Means Being Pupils of the Lord- "...and increasing in the knowledge of God"

  • Growing as a church means growing individually in our walk with God
  • Our ministries will naturally flow and be productive from our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ
  • Being a pupil of the Lord means staying committed to prayer, daily-Bible reading, faithfulness, giving, and growing in grace

 

 

Specific Goals for Being Fruitful in Every Good Work:

 

Implementation of New Outreach Ministry to better serve our First-Time Guests: CARE TEAM MINISTRY

 

Newly-designed Youth Infrastructure to allow us to properly and biblically accomodate the growth of our youth ministry

 

Cover additional territory for the expansion of our bus ministry in addition to adding another route.

 

Additional Children's Church to accomodate growth

 

Additional Sunday School Classes to accomodate growth

 

Installation of two new screens for better worship environment

 

Maintain emphasis on soul-winning efforts and community outreach through classes and ENGAGE Conference

 

Increase Missions Giving to fully support all missionary efforts

 

 

 

 

 

January 6, 2012

 

 

I wanted to get a jumpstart on the season, so two weeks before Thanksgiving I put up our Christmas lights on the outside of the house.  They have been hanging up for the past eight weeks, but yesterday I took them down.   I must be honest, I was very tempted to keep them up all year; I mean it’s only 361 more days until Christmas.

 

On that November day last year it took me nearly six hours to display our lights.  It involved a 24-foot ladder, a 16-foot ladder, 8 strands of 16-foot lights with 200 bulbs on each strand, 11 weathered wreaths,  hundreds of white plastic clips (I hate those things), 300 feet of drop cord, the patience of Job, and four extra-strength Tylenol.

 

Yesterday I got up the nerve to remove them and I realized something about Christmas lights…it’s difficult putting them up, but really easy bringing them down.  Literally, it only took me 10 minutes to remove them.  I discovered an easy and effective strategy for their removal…simply start on one of the corners and pull as hard as you can until they are all down…of course, you will have to buy new lights next year, but you understand what I am saying.  In just a moments time everything I had worked so hard to display was suddenly lying broken all over my yard.

 

Isn’t our character and reputation the same way?  You can work your entire life at trying to present something beautiful and impressive only to have it crumble down with one bad decision.  We have all heard the horror stories of men who have made the wrong choice and literally within ten minutes have their world turned upside down. 

 

As believers we must work hard at trying to display our light, and even harder at trying to keep that light in place.  Hummm….I just found an excuse to keep the Christmas decorations up year round.

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 5, 2012

 

 

1211...those numbers may not mean a lot to you, but they mean the world to me.Those are the numbers of my address at Blue Springs Drive in Loganville, Georgia.  Those numbers represent my house, my yard, my trees, my trashcans, my fence, and my driveway.  They remind me of fading-green shutters, a basement with a ping-pong table, a fireplace with gas logs, and an attic full of Christmas decorations.  Those numbers stand for his-and-her sinks, a closet full of clothes designated for Good Will, a storage room with work-out equipment, and a wooden back-deck that stands in need of some repair.  Most of all, those numbers identify the place where I spend time with the people I love the most in this world- my family. 

 

Today at 1211, I played front-yard football with my three wonderful sons.  Today at 1211, I smelled vegetable soup as it simmered for hours in the crock-pot.  Today at 1211, I watched my wife as she pulled into the garage thinking to myself, “She is so pretty.”  Today at 1211, I watched as my two dogs chased a menacing squirrel up a tree only to stare at it for 15 minutes.  Today at 1211, I was reminded how thankful I am to have a home.

 

And then it hit me…if it is this good at 1211…I wonder what heaven must be like?  The Lord knows there is something in all of us that loves being home; that is why He gave us these comforting words, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go prepare a place for you.  And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

 

It may not be a mansion on the hillside, and it may not look like a royal estate; but today my modest home reminded me that I have a home prepared where the saints abide, just over in the glory land.  Yes, today I saw a glimpse of heaven at 1211.

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



January 4, 2012

 

 

Much of what is happening in our world economically, politically, socially, and religiously is the absense of one basic and fundamental characteristic: integrity.  The continual economic woes, the alarming political corruption, the socialism of our nation, and the unprecedented religious ambiguity is the result of a culture that dismisses the importance of doing right.  In a nutshell that is the basic defintion of integrity- doing right.

 

Webster defines integrity this way:

An unimpaired condition: soundness.  The quality or state of being complete, sound and unmoveable in that condition.

 

Perhaps a simpler definition could be stated :doing what is right when no one else is looking.  Bob Jones Sr. said, "Do Right! Even if the stars are falling, do right!  It is never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right.”  Spurgeon said, “Lose all that you have except for your integrity, for when all else is gone at least you can still live with yourself.”  I like what Will Rogers said about the subject, "Live in such a way that you would not be afraid to sale your parrot to the town gossip."

 

Job, a perfect and upright man perhaps said it the best, "God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me" (Job 27:5).  Job was willing to take his last breathe as a man who lived by certain standards and principles.  I am afraid we are losing such resiliency in our culture.  I am afraid that our generation has bought into the notion that truth is relative and we do not have to give an account for our unrighteouness.  Someone has rightly said, "Men are looking for better methods, but God is looking for better men."

 

The truth is God requires His people to be people of integrity.  Someone who strives to be such a person will:

1. Promote Honesty- God has called us to teach truth, speak truth, and live by the truth regardless of the consequences.

 

2. Practice Holiness- God's people are to be holy and different.  We are salt and light.  We are commanded to be holy even as He is holy.  The Bible tells us that we cannot see God without holiness.  Although holiness is an out-dated subject, it is still a Bible principle!

 

3. Pursue Humility- holiness and honesty does not equate in religious snobbery or arrogance.  Those who walk in integrity will live in humility.

 

4. Please Him- above and beyond all things, a person of integrity seeks to please God.  If we filtered everything in our lives with this question, "Does it Please God?" we would not have to wonder whether or not we were people of integrity- we would be.

 

God has not called us to be popular, He has called us to be peculiar.  May God help us to be people of integrity.

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny

 

 

 

 

 

January 3, 2012

 

 

As I read through my daily devotion this morning I came across one of my favorite verses, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?"  (Psalm 42:1-2).  Little did I know that I would digest this psalm later on in the afternoon...

 

We took our Christmas decorations down at the church today so Heather was there at the office for a good portion of the morning.  Not feeling well she left early leaving my wallet behind in the car.  I did not realize this until lunch time.  My cash, my checks, and my credit cards were in the wallet.  Normally I do not eat a heavy lunch, but today I worked up an appetite as I helped with the decorations.  Once I realize that I did not have access to any money all of a sudden I grew even hungrier; by 2:30 I was starving.  Hamburgers, tacos, chicken nuggets, french fries, spaghetti- my mind was racing with thoughts of a buffet of food...and then it hit me...

 

As my stomach began making funny sounds, the verse came back into my mind, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God: when shall I come and appear before God?"  As my physical body longed to be filled, I thought about David's hunger and thirst to be with God.  There is something about hunger and thirst that consumes the body- nothing will satisfy until it is adequately nourished.  I want to develop a spiritual appetite for God that only He Himself can fill.   Certainly we have a great promise when this is our desire, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteouness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).  Anyone hungry?

 

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

January 2, 2012

 

 

Java, Morning Mud, High Test, Cup of Joe- the names really aren't that important; what's important is that we have it every single morning of our lives.  According to a special report by CBS News, more than half of the population in the United States of America drinks at least one cup of coffee every day.  The coffee industry is an 18-billion-dollar-a-year business, and is growing every single year.

 

If you are like me, it is very difficult to start the day without it.  There is something about the freshly brewed aroma- there is something about the warmth of the cup in my hand on a cold winter morning- there is something about the smoke that slowly rises from the center- I will admit it, I have went to bed at night thinking about my cup of coffee for the next morning.  I have also bought into the slogan, "America runs on Dunkin."  Can I get a witness?

 

Now if a cup of coffee is vital for the start of each day, how much more should the Word of God be in place before we begin our mornings?  I have discovered something in my spiritual journey over these years: when I begin the day with the Word of God, it seems as though I am able to handle the issues of the day with a much-better spirit.  As the New Year begins I want to challenge myself, and anyone who may read this first blog of the year to begin the day in God's Word and stay committed to reading it as a part of your morning routine- and go ahead, read it with a freshly-brewed cup of Joe.

 

In His Service,

Bro. Kenny