http://krsenn.com/MP3/RevivingStonesOBBC.mp3
"Reviving the Stones From the Heaps"

 
 
http://krsenn.com/PrayerLtrs/OCTPrayerLetter2013.pdf
 
 

September 30, 2013

 


This is a copy of our October Newsletter

K.R. Senn Ministries: OCTOBER PRAYER LETTER

K.R. Senn Ministries: OCTOBER PRAYER LETTER: This is our latest prayer letter. You can also access a printable copy at http://krsenn.com/PrayerLtrs/OCTPrayerLetter2013.pdf    

OCTOBER PRAYER LETTER

This is our latest prayer letter. You can also access a printable copy at http://krsenn.com/PrayerLtrs/JULYPrayerLetter2013.pdf 

 

Revival Meeting at Family Baptist Church!

Next week we return to Guam for the 3rd time! This has become "our island" and we anticipate each opportunity to minister here. We have made so many friends on this island and the churches we minister in are quite special. We begin our meetings at Family Baptist Church in Dededo. 

Please pray that God will do a great work in every service and Guam will experience revival! 

REVIVAL Turtle Mountain Baptist Church

This evening we start Revival meetings at Turtle Mountain Baptist Church in Rolla, ND. Rolla is located on the outskirts of the Chippewa reservation about 10 miles from the Canadian border.

Missionary Frank Sheridan started this church in 1997 and has diligently worked to start a church in a forgotten place! Bro. Sheridan used to be our pastor for the few years we were in England in the early  90's. It was during those years that God opened many doors for me. Together with The Lord, we were able to accomplish much for the glory of God.

Please pray that God would move in a mighty way this week!

Minot Baptist Church

Yesterday we had great services at Minot Baptist Church. I honestly didn't know what to expect. Throughout my AF career Minot had always had a reputation as a place you didn't want to be stationed at. But this weekend has proven that myth to be inaccurate.

The church was extremely friendly and responsive to God's Word. Although they have experienced a recent split, they are determined to reach people for Christ. It was refreshing to see visitors in both services.

The following is the preface of the new book I'm writing about SMALL CHURCHES. It is an ongoing project and I'm thankful for all the input I've received thus far ... Both positive and negative.

Preface

The following book is a collection of my observations and is not meant to be all-inclusive. Some may take offense, but my intention is not to offend anyone. Instead I hope God will use these few words to cause us to examine ourselves and become more motivated to reach our generation for Christ.
I have spent several years researching this subject. I have dedicated myself to helping the smaller church and it is my belief that if our nation is to experience revival again, it will come through our smaller churches.
There are reasons that some churches are small. Sometimes they are small because they are in a small, remote community. The field God has placed them in will only yield a certain amount. It stands to reason that a garden that is an acre in size will produce more than one that is only big enough to host a single plant! I have preached in several churches in this situation and they are actively doing all they can do to reach their community.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."  John 15:4-5, 8

But many times churches are small because they are no longer vibrant and healthy! God has placed them in a place where there is much fruit to be reaped, but they have lost their will to be what they should be! Some have even become comfortable with being complacent. They use the same dead excuses to make themselves feel better! I have often heard people say that they are small because “they can’t take preaching”. Yet, there is another church in their community that holds to the same doctrine and preaches the same message that is thriving! Maybe it’s time to look into the mirror and see if there is something we have neglected in our own ministry. Maybe it’s time to get back on our knees and ask God, “Is it me?” instead of automatically calling everyone else a compromiser. Maybe the others have compromised, but we cannot use them for an excuse. We must examine ourselves and through prayer let God examine us.
A small church is not necessarily small in attendance. There are plenty of churches that have “numbers”, but they have left the path they once traveled! At one time, they were an infant church that probably started in a living room or store front. They prayed, they preached, and they dedicated themselves to reaching people for Christ. But once they reached a certain size they became satisfied. They are no longer actively doing those things which made them vibrant. They have become SMALL MINDED! They are just a few years away from becoming a church of 20 in a building that once held 200.
The answer is obvious. WE NEED REVIVAL! We need to return to that place in history where God had his hand upon us. We need the power of God back, but we will never get there until we look in the mirror and ask, “Is it me?”

SEVEN REASONS WHY CHURCHES ARE SMALL

The following is a rough outline for an article that I'll finish writing soon. It is based on my preaching experiences over the past 19 months.

 SEVEN REASONS WHY CHURCHES ARE SMALL
1. They are in their Infancy
2. They are Discouraged
3. They are Embattled
4. They are Comfortable
5. They are Lazy
6. They are Ignorant of the Purpose of the Local Church
7. They have No Vision

MARCH Prayer Letter

Whew!

What a time we've had the past few weeks!

Gina and I have completed our relocation to Northwest Florida. We loaded a Uhaul truck on Tuesday and it took 3 days to fit all our "stuff" into it. We loaded during the day ... and I preached Revival during the evening. Needless to say, it made for a very busy week. However, God blessed abundantly!!! Altars were full each night at Open Bible Baptist Church (Millville, NJ). Pastor Danny Gardner started this church several years ago and continues to have a vision to see souls saved. We thank the Lord that he used us to be a blessing to this church and look forward to being with them again in the future.

On Thursday, we pointed the Uhaul truck southward and drove straight through to Crestview, Florida. We had placed an offer on a foreclosed home that was accepted a few months ago, but a week before closing the financing fell through because of our change in ministry. This resulted in a mad scramble to find another place. We decided to put half our "stuff" in storage and give the rest to our daughter Becci and her husband Josh. Becci and Josh have also been gracious enough to allow us to stay with them while we are in the area.

Sunday found us at our home church, Faith Independent Baptist Church (Niceville, Florida). It felt really good to be back home. That morning we officially moved our membership back there. On Sunday evening, I preached and God challenged us through His Word!

On Wednesday, we will board an airplane to Guam where we spend 3 weeks. I will preach special meetings at Family Baptist Church, Lighthouse Baptist Church, and Temple Baptist Church. We have looked foward to this for months and it is now just a day away! Pray that God will use us and that souls will come to Christ!

Latest News From the Road

On January 15th, Gina and I were privileged to be at Faith Baptist Church in Delmar, Md. Pastor Ken Johnson has been the faithful pastor of this church for the past 35 years. His ministry has been a labor of love and he has endured many battles throughout the years. The church is filled with wonderful people that stand behind him.

January 18th found us at Mainland Baptist Church in the Atlantic City, NJ area. We were blessed of the Lord to present our ministry and the church members responded well as I preached, "The 3 Sides of Timothy".

Starting Sunday I start a meeting at Open Bible Baptist Church in Millville, NJ. The meeting will go through Wednesday and we encourage anyone in the area to support this meeting. We covet every prayer that is made on our behalf. Thank you.

Great Meeting!

Gina and I just returned from our meetings at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Moscow, PA. The people of this church hungered for God's Word! They were such a joy to preach to and they seem eager to reach their community with the Gospel of Christ. The church runs between 50 - 75 people and most of them found themselves at the altar each service! Pastor John Nemo and his family are doing a great job ministering in this church. We are praying that this church will see many souls saved in the coming months.

God has been so good to use us these past few weeks and we look forward to our next meeting on Sunday @ Faith Baptist Church in Delmar, Md.

We're Off!

January 1st marked our last service at Port Norris Baptist Church in New Jersey. Gina and I have labored there for 7 years and will always remember our time there fondly.

We are quite excited about our new ministry ... full-time evangelism! I'm also thankful for a fantastic wife who shares my excitement for serving Christ. Not every wife can be enthusiastic about the nomadic lifestyle of the evangelist, but she has eagerly embraced God's call on our lives.

Our first Wednesday found us at Mays Landing Baptist Church. Pastor James Fulleylove and the members were such a pleasure to be around. They have a vision for their church and are pressing forward. There was good response at the altar with decisions being made for the New Year!

What We Consider EXTRAORDINARY, Used To Be Just Ordinary.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5

We tend to look at a Christian who is steadfast and serious about their Christian life as being an extraordinary person. But instead of extraordinary, this should be ordinary! Every Christian should be steadfast, every Christian should take a stand, and every Christian should hold fast to those things that have been committed to them. These should be ordinary characteristics that every born-again believer possesses.

 

            In the last days in which we live the Bible tells us that men will waver and fall. They will be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine”. The Bible tells us this several times. We live in such a time. Instead of being led by spiritual things, many are led by the desires of their flesh. Instead of being influenced by the Word of God, most are influenced by the world. And instead of living to please our Saviour, multitudes live their life in a pursuit of pleasing the flesh! But that doesn’t have to be the case and it shouldn’t be. God expects us to hold fast.

God’s Word is filled with examples of men and women who held fast during troubling times, even when their lives were on the line. John the Baptist is just one of many.

 

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.” Matthew 14:1-12

            John the Baptist did not possess anything extraordinary. He did not have anything special that every saved person doesn’t also possess. We all have the ability and potential to stand for our faith like he did … in fact, God expects it.

IT STARTS WITH COMMITMENT

“As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”  Mark 1:2-8

When John arrived on the scene, no one had seen anything quite like him! There were some that mocked him and there were some that didn’t believe him. Nevertheless John knew that God had called him for the very special task of being the forerunner of Christ and it didn’t matter how much opposition he faced, he remained committed to his call!

Commitment is a characteristic that is quickly disappearing in people. If something doesn’t come easy, people often abandon whatever it is they are trying to do. According to the National Center for Policy Analysis, only 32.9 % of students that enrolled in college graduated on time.  In previous years, the United States had led all nations in this category. But now we are ranked 11^th in the world, pointing directly to a lack of commitment.

This characteristic has carried over into every aspect of life. Husbands and wives are no longer committed to their marriage relationship. Employees are no longer committed to excel at their job. And even in our local churches we have seen a decline of believers who are committed to the cause of Christ!

“Involvement” and “Commitment” are not the same! Some become involved in the ministry of their local church, but when their involvement becomes work they quickly back away. Someone who is committed will continue in spite of what it may cost them! This should be a normal character trait found in every believer. If you want to make a difference become committed!

HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND

There came a time in John’s life when he had to make a choice; would he stand at all costs?  Or would he compromise if the price was too great? John had the courage to stand on God’s Word no matter who was standing in front of him and no matter what the cost. When Herod took Herodias, his brother’s wife as his own; John didn’t back down. “For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.” (Matthew 14:3,4)

If the same situation was to occur today most Christians would say, “It’s consensual, Herod and Herodias want to be together; who are we to stand in the way of love?” But adultery and fornication is still sin, no matter what we think! John knew it, and if Herod wanted to throw him in the prison for preaching against sin, so be it! If it cost him his life … so what! It takes courage to stand in front of the king and tell him it’s not lawful!

With each passing generation the line between good and evil has shifted. Many of our young people have never been taught what sin is. Their moral values are determined by television and a liberal education system. We must tell them what the Bible says and have the courage to stand by God’s Word when opposition comes.

If we will be committed to serving Christ and have the courage to stand, we can …

EXPECT TO BE COMMENDED BY CHRIST

John’s commitment and courage had resulted in his imprisonment. Our Lord’s response to this is found in Luke 7:28. “… Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist” There is no higher compliment than this. Christ didn’t compliment him because of his lineage, he commended him for the life he lived! He lived a committed, courageous, and uncompromising life. A life every Christian should strive to imitate.

  Why aren’t there more Christians of John’s caliber? It’s not that no one can be … it’s because not many want to be. It takes commitment and courage, something that should be our ordinary and reasonable service.

If we remain steadfast, if we remain committed, if we are courageous in our faith, we will hear the commendation of Christ; “Well done thou good and faithful servant!”

Recent Trip

We have just returned from another fantastic road trip! We were with Faith Ind. Baptist Church (Niceville, FL) on Wednesday. I preached on "Prayer" and many decisions were made at the invitation. On Sunday we were with God's Way Baptist Church in Troy, AL. God met with us and I had great liberty to preach. Many found their way to the altar to do business with God and to seek personal revival in their lives.

Gina & I are now back in New Jersey and looking forward to services at Port Norris Baptist Church.

The Stimulus Package America Really Needs!

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:41-47

 

            Today many Americans are concerned about the condition of our nation. Our people are out of work and our deficit is the largest in history! Politicians in each party continue to put forth plans and ideas that will turn our nation back around. Some ideas may help us, and some will certainly harm us. As a nation we have tried to STIMULATE our economy by infusing it with money we don’t have … and it has failed!

The problems we face are not just fiscal problems, they are SPIRITUAL ones! The financial calamities are just a byproduct. We can continue in our attempt to stimulate our economy and fail, but why not stimulate the spiritual lives of our people and let God bless us again?

             In the Book of Acts, the disciples of Christ faced tragic times. Their Lord had ascended to Heaven in chapter 1, and the church was still in its infancy. God had done a great work on the day of Pentecost, but you will notice that the disciples did not sit idle and let God do ALL the work! They did what every good servant does; they became busy serving. They engaged themselves into the ministry and God blessed them greatly! In fact, the more they invested themselves the more God blessed.

            We can see in verse 41 that those that “… gladly received his word were baptized”. They were eager to identify themselves with Christ and testify that God had indeed made them new creatures. They continued in doctrine, fellowship, and prayer (v42). And they also continued “daily with one accord in the temple” (v43). It is not difficult to recognize that they were investing their lives in the service of Christ, and “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”.

            This pattern repeats itself throughout the Bible and throughout history. Whenever we invest in the spiritual things, God blesses. We’ll find that blessing when we’re on our knees longer and when our attention is focused more in God’s Word. We’ll benefit greatly when we win more souls to Christ, walk closer to Christ, and live our lives bringing him honor and glory. THIS IS THE STIMULUS PACKAGE THAT WILL ALWAYS WORK!

           Where will we see the results of a spiritual stimulus package?

 IN OUR LIVES

            We must never forget one of the most important principles found in the Bible; the principle of sowing and reaping.

 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”   Galatians 6:7-9

             God’s Word is very clear about this principle. If we sow corruptible seeds we reap the corruptible fruit. But if we sow spiritual seed, we reap spiritual fruit. God has promised us that “in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”. This principle is repeated over and over in the Bible … and it is illustrated over and over in the lives of people. When David sowed spiritual things, he reaped spiritual fruit. But when he sowed to his flesh, he didn’t like the fruit it produced!

            I’ve discovered that when I stimulate the spiritual things in my life, my life is much better. I am closer to my Lord, have more joy, and my service is much more effective.

IN OUR CHURCHES

             In the Book of Acts, we see what God wants to do through the local church which has stimulated the right things. Even though they faced stiff opposition to the Gospel, they were steadfast in their service and even advanced their efforts!

             The disciples were commanded in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”. Within weeks, the church at Jerusalem would number several thousand people who had been saved, baptized, and serving. 3,000 souls were saved on the day of Pentecost and 5,000 more received Christ in chapter 4:4. These were not people who simply said a prayer and lived life as though nothing special had happened. They fell in love with Christ and shared their faith with everyone they could! They fervently fed on the spiritual and it showed. It wasn’t long before the gospel had travel throughout the city. Soon it would spread throughout Judea and Samaria. When heavy persecution came and the believers were scattered, they shared the Good News wherever they went, even as far away as Antioch!

            Souls were saved and more churches were started because these new born believers became engaged in their new life for Christ! This is God’s method. The new church that was established at Antioch became the place Paul’s missionary journeys start and end. But this church would have never been started if the disciples in Jerusalem had not sowed spiritual things.

            Too often we try to energize our churches with a new promotion or program. A new ministry will not jump start our churches, but stimulating the spiritual things we’ve neglected will! I’m afraid that many of our churches have duplicated the characteristic of the Church at Ephesus in Revelation 2, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love”. They were busy, but they had neglected the most important side of the ministry, the spiritual side.

 IN OUR NATION

             When God’s people are spiritual, our nation cannot help but to benefit from it!

  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

God said he would heal the land, but only if certain conditions were met. None of those conditions included any new government policy. Nor did it include any new financial strategy. They only included God’s people doing what they should have been doing all along! America needs a stimulus package … a stimulus of SPIRITUAL THINGS!

NEW MINISTRY!

We'd like to share some exciting news … God has called me into full-time evangelism. As a man of God, I made a vow long ago to seek God’s will and follow it. God has revealed his will to Gina & I ... and we count it a great privilege to follow the path he has set before us.

On August 21^st, I made this announcement to our church. It was received with many tears, but they are supportive of God’s will for our lives. My intention is to stay here until the end of the year as their pastor, while I try to fill my 2012 schedule. I will also help in the process of seeking the next man to pastor Port Norris Baptist Church.

Our future ministry will be a bit different than the normal evangelist. Our ministry will be 3-fold: Revival for the local Church, Reaching our military for Christ overseas through the local military churches located outside each base, and to Reinvigorate the small church. Many of our smaller churches cannot afford to bring an evangelist in. This ministry will require much prayer and support. 

I invite you to visit our NEW website at www.KRSenn.com.

Article published in the SWORD OF THE LORD

YOU CAN READ THE ARTICLE ON THIS BLOG. (SEE ENTRY FOR APRIL 4TH)

Up From the Cot For a Lifelong Walk

                 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. (John 5:1-11)

Every miracle that our Lord performs teaches a lesson and the miracle by the pool of Bethesda is no exception. The pool of Bethesda was a special place and there was a great multitude of “impotent folk” that was found there. The reason was because occasionally an angel would trouble the water and the first person to enter the pool would be healed of whatever disease they had. This day, there would not be an angel that would trouble the water. Instead the Son of God would come and ask one man a question, “Wilt thou be made whole?”

Christ’s question to this man seems almost absurd, but what we must remember is that Christ gave this man a choice! God has created man as creatures of free will. God allows us to make our own decisions. But when we make our decisions we also choose that consequence that is attached to that decision! When people die and go to hell it’s because that is the choice they made! They had a choice: Receive Christ and his redemption … or reject Christ which results in condemnation. The lame man could have rejected Christ’s offer and continued in the same condition he had spent the past 38 years in, but thank God he didn’t!

Notice that Christ told him to take up his bed and walk … and that is exactly what he did. By doing so, the lame man gave evidence that Christ had indeed made him whole. THIS IS THE EXAMPLE CHRIST WANTS FROM EVERY CHRISTIAN! It is our Christian walk that gives the world evidence that we are a new creature in Christ.

It would have been ridiculous to think that after the lame man was healed that he would remain on his cot for the rest of his life. But multitudes of Christians have done exactly that. Instead of embarking on a lifelong walk with Christ, they choose to stay where they’ve always been! They choose to act like they’ve always acted and continue to fit in with a multitude of people that are depraved!

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” Colossians 2:6

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10

            There are a number of excuses that Christians in this condition grasp onto. Perhaps the most popular excuse is that they are trying to reach the rest by fitting in. But, if there is no evidence that Christ has made you whole, how will you convince another that Christ can make them whole?

            Some Christians have refused to walk. Some have walked for a time and then quit. What is needed is each of us to experience a lifelong walk with Christ. If for no other reason, I never want to give my lost friends and family the impression that the Christian life was not good enough for me and therefore it won’t be good enough for them!

GRADUATION!

We've just returned from Florida to see our daughter Jessica graduate from Pensacola Christian College. We're so proud of her and happy that she has made it through without going crazy! We've always teased her that she was the world's oldest freshman (she was 24 years old). But, she dedicated herself to her studies and her grades reflected her dedication!

Currently Jessica is spending a few weeks with us in NJ, and then she will start her job working for PCC. Our girls have spread their wings and have flown the coop back to Florida :)

Our Son-in-Law, Joshua (Becci's Husband) also graduated with his degree in Electrical Engineering. He also had a rough road to graduation. In addition to his studies, he carried the burden of Becci's continuing health problems. Several times he had to leave class to take her to the Emergency Room or to just care for her. Through it all he kept focused and completed school! Way to go Das!!

What Every Mother Likes to See in Her Children

We had a great service this morning at Port Norris Baptist Church! The attendance was good, the spirit sweet, and the message touched hearts.

We looked throught the eyes of a mother as she looks at her children ... and 3 things were mentioned that every mother would like to see.

HER CHILDREN TO HAVE A GOOD CLAIM

"The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice." Prov 23:24-25

There is great rejoicing in the heart of a parent to know that their children are saved! To have the confidence that their claim of salvation is real is a gift whose value is priceless. I've served God as a pastor since 1996 and some of the saddest people I've encountered in my congregations is a mother who has a wayward child. They have a tremendous burden and they shed a multitude of tears because their child has continued to reject Christ and pay a price in life for it. The greatest gift they could receive is to know that their child has received Christ and their life shows this claim to be true.

Every mother would also like to see that ...

HER CHILDREN HAVE A GOOD NAME
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold."Prov 22:1

This verse speaks of a good testimony or reputation. Our reputation speaks about our life and our associations. What we do with our lives tell a story to people we know and people who know about us. Mothers like to brag on their children ... but not all mothers can. I've never once heard a mother brag on her son or daughter for being the town drunk. Nor have I heard of a mother being proud because her child was in prison. The Mothers Day card we give our mothers does not mean as much as making her proud does.

Finally, every mother would like to see that ...

HER CHILDREN HAVE GOOD AIMS (INTENTIONS)

If you'll take the time to read Luke 15:11-21, you will find the story of the Prodigal Son. At the beginning you will see a young man who had a good name. He came from a good family and he shared in that reputation. But his AIM (or intentions) was not good and when you get to v21 you can see that he no longer had a good name! Though this story is told through the eyes of a father, the Prodigal had a mother also. If she was like most mothers, she knew his heart and his intentions. And the pain she went through while he son was in that far country was probably unbearable! Many times we forget about the pain we put our mother through. A broken heart is much more painful than childbirth.

But words can't describe the joy she experiences when she knows that her children have good intentions and their lives show it to be true! Words cannot describe the joy that come when she KNOWS her children have a good claim, a good name, and good aim! Have we made Mom proud? Have we made God proud?

Casting Away the Things of God

I justed posted this mornings sermon on the website. http://pastorkrsenn.com/MP3/CastingAway.mp3

Missing in Action!

Yesterday morning we examined an interesting passage of Scripture in Matthew 27:22-35. It is here that we find our Lord carrying the cross through the streets of Jerusalem on his way to Calvary. But in verse 32 we are told that "they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross". There is a question that must be asked ... Why did they compell Simon? Certainly his disciples were watching from the crowd. Why didn't one of them spring from the crowd to bear the cross for their Lord?

There are 2 reasons the disciples remained hidden in the crowd that day; SHAME & FEAR.

Just the evening before Christ had told them, "All ye shall be offended because of me this night" and they were all quick to deny it. Yet, on the streets of Jerusalem there lay a cross that none of them were willing to bear! Sadly, many of God's children have responded to Christ in this fashion. We must never come to the place where we are ashamed to be identified with our Lord! How many Christians are too ashamed to tell others that they are believers?

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" Romans 1:16 (KJV)

Fear is the other reason the disciples remained hidden in the crowd. They did not want to suffer the same things they saw Christ suffering. But if we are all afraid to do something, NOTHING will be accomplished! From the outside looking in, most of us will boldly state that we would've picked up the cross if we were there that day. But is there a cross you should be carrying that is still on the ground?

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matt 16:24

"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27

Disciples that are "Missing in Action" are disciples that accomplish nothing. We must be disciples who are found faithful, following, and fruitful!

Good day @ Church

Our church family has experienced some sadness in recent days. One of our members has experienced a severe stroke and there have been 2 deaths. Needless to say, many hearts are heavy. Yesterday I believe some people got help. I preached on "The Sweet Fruit of Sorrow" out of John 4:45-53. Sometimes the very thing that has upset our lives is the conduit God uses to bring great joy!

Going Beyond the Minimum

                Going the 2^nd mile … what does that mean? One of the things that I’ve noticed about people is that they will normally do only what they want to do. Even in Christian circles we see this characteristic on display. In fact, whenever we obey God we will only do what is required, nothing more. But it is the Christian that is willing to go beyond the minimum requirements that is used in a greater way and blessed to a greater capacity.

This is what I see in Josiah, the 16^th king of Judah. He was a young man that began to seek God at an early age (2 Chronicles 34:3). Not only does the Bible tell us that he was a seeker of God, his life SHOWED us! He set out to purge Judah of the high places, groves, and idols that had littered his land. But Josiah was not content with just cleansing Judah. He also went into the land that the Northern Kingdom of Israel had once occupied and purged it too!

(2 Chronicles 34:3-7)

“For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.”

            The areas of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and Naphtali are all part of the Northern Kingdom. The north had been destroyed and taken captive into Assyria eighty years before Josiah came to power. This land was not his responsibility, but he was not content with doing just the minimum! He even destroys the altar at Bethel where Jeroboam had set up one of the golden calves 350 years prior.

            My thought centers around the desire of God’s people to do “just enough” to satisfy their conscience. This is a behavior trait that has stood the test of time. Many Christians are content with living close to the border of good and evil. But when they abide close to the boundary, they are just a step away from being where they shouldn’t be. Let me remind you of 2 people that suffered because of this; Lot and the Prodigal son. Lot started out by pitching his tent towards Sodom and it wasn’t long until he was living in Sodom! The Prodigal son didn’t live in that far country, but his heart did … and it wasn’t long before his feet followed his heart.

            Josiah had some admirable character traits that set him apart. These character traits are things that God wants to see in all his children.

HAVE A DETERMINED ZEAL FOR SERVING GOD

            Why didn’t Josiah stop the purging of idols at the border of his kingdom? Perhaps he thought that if the idols and groves were an abomination in Judah, wouldn’t they still be an abomination in ALL of Israel? Maybe he destroyed the last image in Judah and could still see another in the distance. Whatever he did or did not see, Josiah was determined to do right and he would go the extra mile in his service for God.

            We must all ask ourselves, “Why should I be satisfied with only doing the minimum?” God will not be angry with us for going the extra mile! “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Eccl 9:10)

            The prophet Isaiah lived during inconsistent days. He served while the good kings Uzziah and Jotham sat on the throne, but he also served during the wicked reign of Ahaz. After Ahaz, another good king named Hezekiah came to power, only to be followed by Manasseh who provoked God to anger.

            The people of Judah were inconsistent at best during Isaiah’s lifetime, yet Isaiah remained zealous. He made a statement in Isaiah 62:1, “For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” Isaiah would not be silent, nor would he rest until the righteousness of his people shone forth brightly. Oh, that every Christian would have that kind of zeal! Our service MUST be without rest or compromise.

DISTANCE OURSELVES FROM TEMPTATION AND SIN

            When Josiah cleansed the land to the north it was not for the purpose of conquest. Nowhere in the Bible does it even hint at this. He was just doing what was right and it resulted in removing temptation far from his land.

            There is a certain percentage of Christians that live as close to the world and sin as they possibly can. They always have the old life in plain view and the old nature is always within arm’s length. It is no wonder that these are the same people that live inconsistent Christian lives.

            If there is something that is a temptation for you and you can remove it from your life … REMOVE IT! If you can put up a barrier between you and your sin, put it up! This might mean that you have to find new friends. It might mean that you’ll have to make some radical changes in your life. But your spiritual safety is far more important than anything your worldly friends can give. If you’ll take the time to read 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Corinthians 6:18, and 1 Corinthians 10:14, you’ll quickly notice that they all tell us to FLEE from sin.

            The character that Josiah displayed was the character of a mature and spiritual man … but he was only 16 years old when he began to seek God. If a 16 year old man can have this much spiritual success, there is nothing preventing each of us from becoming a spiritual and mature Christian. Josiah was a great man because he did great things for God. If we are to be great Christians we must possess the characteristics a great Christian possesses.

Spiritually Handicapped (PART 2)

                In my last post, I began to investigate some things that have spiritually handicapped us as churches and Christians (See part one). This is a very serious problem and it has certainly hindered our ability to fight the spiritual battles we face on a daily basis.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12)

            As we seek to fulfill the great commission that has been given us, we meet opposition. Satan WILL NOT sit idly by as we attempt to reach sinners with the glorious Gospel of Christ! It is foolish to enter into battle without the “whole armor of God”, but every day people face this opposition without protection and without strength. It is never a good idea to enter a battle handicapped in any way. Last week, I identified one of the things handicapping us … our DESERTED PRAYER CLOSETS. But the identification of the problem is not the solution, correcting the problem is.

            Today I will identify 2 more things that handicap the believer and our churches.

DEFILED LIFESTYLE

            There is a basic Biblical principle that we often dismiss … the principle of Sowing & Reaping. The things we sow in life are the same things we reap later on. Christians who live worldly, sinful lives expect the same blessings from God that He gives a dedicated and separated Christian. But it never works that way! They reap the seeds that they have previously sown. But as the sown seed begins to mature, they recognize the rotten fruit and think it unfair that they are stuck with rotten fruit while the separated Christian has good fruit! We can easily recognize the foolishness of this reaction in others, but we often fail to recognize it when we’re the one reaping rotten fruit.

            Churches live by the same principle! Many churches are spiritually handicapped because they have sown the wrong seed. They are without the power of God and fail in their spiritual battles. “… Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 1 Cor. 5:6”. Leven is symbolic of sin and Christians are to be unleavened. Our Lord expects us to live our Christian lives with sincerity according to the truth of the Word of God … and He blesses those that do! The solution is simple, repent and live the life of the new creature in Christ.

DEAD AMBITION

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14” 

            Successful, growing, and thriving churches are churches that have ambition. They desire to serve Christ to the best of their ability. They do not rely on the past because those things are history. Instead they reach for those things still out in front of them! If we talk about our service for Christ and begin the sentence with the words “I used to”, we’re not serving! We should have spiritual goals that we are striving to meet. My ambition is to be more like Christ and to tell more people about his saving grace. These are good things to strive for, but they are general goals. We should also set SPECIFIC goals for ourselves. I can have a goal to read my Bible more this year, but to read my Bible from cover to cover this year is a better ambition. Telling more people about Christ this year is a good goal, but witnessing to at least one person a day is better!

            The church without ambition is a dead church and the Christian without ambition is a dead Christian! I want to be a thriving, growing, Spirit-filled, and fruitful Christian doing my best for Him who shed his blood for MY SINS!

            We must each ask ourselves, “What kind of ambition do I possess? Is it dead ambition? Is it Misdirected ambition? Or is it real spiritual ambition?

            The things that have handicapped us spiritually are all things that our Lord wants to restore in us! But the choice is ours to make.

Spiritually Handicapped

As the years have passed, we have witnessed a trend in many churches. That trend is one of Spiritual apathy. More and more of our churches have become lethargic. They just exist, without fulfilling the commission our Lord has given to us.

            Some will argue that the blame rests on the overall condition of our society, but the world has always been depraved. Some blame culture or circumstances. But the real reason some of our churches are spiritually handicapped is because they’ve lost the power of God.

            We must never forget that God wants to do a great work through the church, but he will only use a vessel of honor. A Christian that has quit serving God is not a vessel of honor, nor is the church that has also grown cold and indifferent.

            For the next few days I will mention 3 things that have handicapped our churches … but identifying the problem will not solve the problem. There must be repentance and change! A few years ago I went to my doctor for my annual exam. She looked me over, listened to my heart, and took a blood sample. When I returned for my follow up appointment, she informed me that my cholesterol was too high. Her diagnosis could only reveal the problem, not correct it. It was only when I took the necessary steps was the problem corrected. This same pattern holds true for every church and every Christian. We can identify what has spiritually handicapped us, but unless we make a correction we will remain spiritually handicapped!

            What has handicapped us?

DESERTED PRAYER CLOSETS

            Every Spirit-filled church I’ve ever been in had one thing in common, they were prayer warriors. Prayer was not reserved for emergencies. They’re prayer lives we constant and consistent. In 2 Kings Chapter 19, the Assyrian army had besieged Jerusalem and destruction looked imminent. But Hezekiah immediately went to the House of God and prayed. He responded that way because that was his habit. His prayer life had much to do with his success.

            We are told to “Pray without ceasing”. This speaks of constant contact with God. There is a time each day that we should set aside to spend with God. It should be quality time without interruption. But that should not be the extent of our daily prayer life. Throughout the day we should talk to our Lord. There are days that I’ll speak to God twenty times, for only a few seconds. I try to always be in the state of prayer. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” James 5:16

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New Article: Why People Fail ... Even When Leadership is Good!

“In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign. Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the Lord. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?” 2 Kings 15:32-36

            When we study the life of Jotham, the 11^th king of Judah, we must recognize the condition of the kingdom he inherits from his father Uzziah. Judah is in the midst of the good times! Uzziah had been a very good king that God had blessed for many years. The only spot on his record is found at the end of his life when he intrudes on the office of the priest, and as a result God smote him with leprosy.

“But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” 2 Chronicles 26:16

           

            But for the majority of Uzziah’s 52 year reign, he served God and God blessed him greatly! He had expanded the territory of his kingdom and built the city of Eloth. Eloth is located on the coast of the Red Sea which gave Judah access to many rich trade routes. During a time when many products were moved by ships to far away ports, this city gave Judah trade access to the rich cities of the East. Uzziah also had great military success. During his reign they defeated the Philistines, Arabians, and the Ammorites. He also fortified the city of Jerusalem and built towers along the walls.

            The key to his success is found in 2 Chronicles 26:5 “…and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.” This is the key to success to every Christian, every church, and every nation. The Bible is not saying that if you seek God you will become rich. God says that if you seek him you will prosper. Prosperity does not always mean monetary wealth. I have never even been close to wealthy, but my life has been quite prosperous! I’ve got a wonderful wife and family. We enjoy our Christian lives! But it is because we have dedicated our lives to serving the Lord, and he has made us to prosper.

            Judah had experienced the blessings of God for several years when Uzziah died. This was the condition of Judah when Jotham takes the throne. The Bible tells us that Jotham was an excellent king. He repeated all the things that made his father successful and he did NOT enter into the Temple, which was the downfall of his father. Thus we see in Jotham a man who learned from both the successes and failures of his father. This is the mark of a wise man.

            When we read about the life of Jotham, we cannot find any fault. He is a wise man and an excellent king. Verse 6 of 2^nd Chronicles chapter 27 sums up his life. “So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.” But verse 2 tells us, “… And the people did yet corruptly”

            Leadership is very important in the success of a kingdom, but the people of that kingdom must also respond to leadership if they are going to be successful! When I look at this period of Judah’s history, I see a population that has taken the goodness of God for granted. God had blessed them with riches, with land, and he has given them 68 years where 2 good kings ruled.

How is it that a nation can have great leadership and still fail? It doesn’t seem possible, but this is exactly what happened to Judah. Consider that in spite of Jotham’s great success as king, God took him after only 16 years! This is a referendum on the people of Judah, not on Jotham. After Jotham dies, his son Ahaz will take the throne and will be the worst king to sit on the throne in 137 years!  God just had enough and gave the people the king they deserved!

Why do people fail even when leadership is good? This is an important question to consider and it applies to many situations. For example, our nation is not guaranteed success if we elect a good president. Is leadership important? Sure it is, but it is not the only factor involved for success! This same principle also applies to the local church. It is vital for a church to have a spiritual pastor, but there are many very good pastors that labor fervently amongst a congregation that will not be led!

Why do people fail even when there is good leadership in place?

 FAILURE TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO GOD

There is one thing that the people of Judah would not deal with … the High Places! The worship of Jehovah in Judah revolved around the Temple in Jerusalem, but along many of the hills of the nation, men still sacrificed to idols. This was very difficult for a king to control completely. One of Judah’s best kings, Asa, removed them, but before the end of his life they had reappeared because people would rebuild them shortly after they were destroyed. No king up to this point could control it, though several made the attempt.

It really came down to the fact that the people were not willing to fully commit themselves to God! As a nation, they served God and they served idols at the same time. This never works!

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. 6:24

            We have seen people fail in this area throughout the Bible and throughout history! People try to please God while in this condition … even when God has repeatedly said, “Thou shalt have no other gods beside me”. It is an impossibility to please God while being disobedient to his Word.

            When we truly commit to the Lord, by definition we forsake all others. The failure to commit is not a characteristic that is unique to Jotham’s generation. Every generation struggles in this area and our generation is no different. Loyalties are split between serving God or serving the world. The church should have a pastor that is committed to serving God; and the church should have deacons that are committed as well. That is expected of them, but church members should also expect that of themselves. The success of our churches depends on it.

            God expects each of us to be committed to him!

FAILURE TO COMPLY

Rules and boundaries are good things and we find them in all facets of life. Our parents gave us rules to obey, the school sets boundaries on students, and the government has established things that we can or can’t do. Each time there is a failure; a price must be paid. Why should we expect rules in every other area of life, but not in our spiritual life?

God has given us commandments that we are to obey. When we disobey these commandments is it God’s fault? Of course not. Asa destroyed the high places and when the people would not leave their idolatry was it his fault? NO!

Never lose sight of the fact that the relationship between a nation and God is not dependent solely on the relationship between the leader & God. People play an important role as well! This is something that our nation must realize … our success is doesn’t depend upon a president, it depends upon our citizens. Leadership is important, but it isn’t the only thing important.

The same principle is true in the local church. The church is to preach and institute the Biblical boundaries God demands. But if people will not comply, God will not bless the church Judah had great leadership, but they failed because they would not submit themselves to the law of God

FAILURE TO FOLLOW

Uzziah was leading his nation in the right direction, but his nation would only follow so far. When Jotham takes the throne he also tried to lead his nation in the right direction. But the people still responded the same way, there was only so far they were willing to go.

Many good leaders had identical experiences. Whenever I read the book of Exodus, I cannot help but feel sorry for Moses. He was a willing servant who totally invested himself to the work God called him to do. But the children of Israel never really followed him, they had to be pulled along!

Samuel is another good example of a good leader who was rejected by his people. He was the final judge, only because the people demanded a king! The nation wanted to be like the other nations around them; nations that did not serve God! It is interesting to notice that when they took Saul for their king, that they ran to Samuel whenever they found trouble. Had they followed God and not their human “intellect” they would not have experienced so much trouble. The list of good leaders that would not be followed is quite long.

Uzziah and Jotham were great kings and God blessed them. But there came a time when the people of Judah would no longer follow them and they paid a price. God took their good king from them after a mere 16 years and gave them Ahaz, a wicked and foolish man to be king. I’m sure that when Ahaz came to power that many in Judah felt that life would be better because all restraint was removed. What they got was not what they expected.

The generation we live in mirrors the generation of Jotham’s day. It is a time when many will not commit themselves to God. It is a time when doctrine is dismissed in the wake of the emerging church movement. And it is the age of casting away anything or anyone who is an authority in our lives! God cannot and WILL NOT bless this type of behavior.

Our success as Christians can only come if we COMMIT ourselves to the Lord, COMPLY or submit ourselves to God & his Word, and success will only come if we continue to follow GOD!