Let Your Kingdom Come In Me!

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

So many times we hold tightly to our own preconceived ideas as we clutch our dreams safely in our little comfort-zones. We hold faith within the walls of our kingdom only to unwittingly limit God's free reign in our lives.

Yet, He is calling for us to run the white flag up the flag pole of our will. He is calling us to surrender to His flow and His will for us. If we will come out from behind our walls of fear, doubt and inadequacies then His true power will be made manifest in our ministries.

God's sovereignty to reign in our lives only comes through our complete surrender. It is in this state of complete release that we truly become vessels or conduits for the flow of His power.

When His kingdom becomes our kingdom, then our steps are ordered by Him; our words are authored by Him; even our actions are orchestrated by His power.

The first sermon I ever "preached" (if you could call it that) was entitled "The Key to Winning the War is to Surrender." It was true then and it is true now.

How many battle have we lost because we went into battle with our own strength, talents and abilities?

Lord let Your Kingdom come in me! Not my will but thine be done!

Coming Attractions by Steven Curtis Chapman

A day is coming
When all will be fed
There won't be a single hungry mouth
Begging for bread
A day is coming
When every disease
Will be swept away
As mercy floods through every street
A day is coming; A day is coming; A day is coming
But until that day comes

Let Your kingdom come in me
Let Your will be done in me
Here on earth as it is and it will be in Heaven
Show Your glory to the world
Tell Your story to the world
Let my life be a preview of coming attractions

A day is coming
That won't fade to night
There'll be no more hatred to endure
No wars to fight
There'll be no orphans
No prisoners or slaves
And all the tears of death and pain
Will be washed away
This day is coming
It's surely coming
Jesus, You're coming
But until that day comes

Let Your kingdom come in me
Let Your will be done in me
Here on earth as it is and it will be in Heaven
Show Your glory to the world
Tell Your story to the world
Let my life be a preview of coming attractions

Burning Bridges

The moon rose over the thick cover of the trees and vines, as the young man quickly moved through the jungle. The sound of foot falls seem to follow him. They seemed to chase him faster and faster. His pack was filled with everything he had gathered in his life. It was his life savings. The collective treasure of his entire experience tied safely in a pack.

As he moved forward, he came to a cavernous ravine. Suspended across the ravine was a rope bridge. He sat his pack down and quickly lit his torch. He carefully, yet hurriedly, made his way across the bridge. When reaching the other side he stopped and used his torch to burn the ropes that held the bridge. As the bridge burned he sighed with relief.

Then as the burning realization rose to his consciousness he cried out “NO, my pack!” Through the flames he could see it resting on the other side of the ravine with the bridge going up in flames between him and his treasure.

There he stood safely on his side but it had cost him everything.

This little handmade parable illustrates the danger of burning bridges.

How many men have burned a bridge and then later realized that what they needed or what they wanted was on the other side?

Relationships are such a valuable commodity. We must protect our relationships. We must put effort into cultivating and maintaining our relationships.

We must be bridge builders and bridge menders.

I know that there are times that the bridge burning is inevitable. Many times the burning is out of your hands.

However, it is to our benefit to maintain every bridge that we can.

1. Leave well

Try to leave well. Be kind. Be respectful. Be careful. Be sensitive.

2. Never tear down the place or the people you just left

Silence is better than evil communication

3. Always value the investment that places and people have made in your life

No matter how bad a situation has been there is always lessons learned

4. Learn to say “I was wrong”

5. Learn to say “I am sorry”

Bridge Maintenance, Bridge Mending, and Bridge Building will always reap more reward than it costs.

Rediscovering The Lost Art of Loyalty

loy‧al‧ty  /ˈlɔɪəlti/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciati - noun, plural -ties.

1.	the state or quality of being loyal; faithfulness to commitments or obligations.

2.	faithful adherence to a sovereign, government, leader, cause, etc.

3.	an example or instance of faithfulness, adherence, or the like: a man with fierce loyalties.

Prov 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Prov 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend...

Our culture has become a "dog eat dog" race for supremacy. Loyalty to ones country; to ones friends; to ones principles seem to have little value in our world today.

However, in reality, LOYALTY, and the trust that follows hand in hand with it, are some of the most valuable resources a person can possess.

Jonathan, Saul's son, should have been king. He was in line for the throne of Israel. Most men would have possessed it at all cost. They would not have let anyone get in their way. Yet, when the Lord removes the throne from the lineage of Saul, Jonathan accepts it and stays loyal to the freshly anointed David.

David understood the value of that loyalty. He repaid Jonathan's faithfulness by giving Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, a place at his table for life.

To we who are in leadership, loyalty, is invaluable. We need to surround ourselves with those who we can trust and who will trust us. Loyalty should follow both ways. I have told the people that work closest to me that I will always have there best interest at heart. If someone comes to me to complain about something they have done or have not done, I will listen but no one in my congregation will ever hear me speak ill of them. They have my loyalty and in return I receive theirs.

We must install the principle of loyalty into our lives. We must be loyal to God, our church, our family, our principles, and our friends.

I hope that it would be said of me..."Kevin was a loyal friend"..."You can count on him"..."His word is his bond."

Let us keep confidences; let us believe the best; let us stand by our principles; let us be faithful men; loyal to the last…

Let us rediscover the lost art of loyalty...

The Absence of Love

The absence of love in our life nullifies all of our so-called righteousness. The absence of love discounts all the good done in the name of the Lord. The absence of love makes ministry a job and serving a duty.

God is love and if we are going to be a valid conduit of his power, anointing and compassion we must have love flowing in and through us.

This absence of love is caused by a lack of relationship. A lack of relationship comes from a lack of effort. I have counseled so many couples who say, “we have fallen out of love.” Yet, what really happened is that they failed to give the effort.

In human relationships, both sides are imperfect. Therefore, to build a strong love relationship each party has to constantly adjust their thought process and their actions so that the elements of their personality that would hinder relationship can be removed or modified. We should be constantly growing, improving, and removing things in our lives so that a strong bound can be accomplished. When we put forth the necessary effort and compromise a relationship can not help but grow.

This same dynamic also exist in our relationship with God. However, the difference is, He is perfect. His ways, thoughts and actions are without flaw. Therefore, as we progress in our relationship with God we must continue to grow, improve and remove the hindrances and obstacles to a love relationship with Him.

Without love; without relationship; our words become as sounding brass or tinkling cymbals. To be truly effective in ministry we must be a conduit of His love.

Let us make an effort; let us discipline ourselves; so that our relationship with God will be a love relationship. Then and only then, will our preaching, teaching, holiness, worship, serving, and ministry be with true power and effectiveness.

Let love be our motivation. Let love be our ambition. Let love be our gift.

Because of the Times 2007

The most impacting messages of the conference for me were...

1. Dr. Jeffers "Condemnation Hinders Intimacy"

We must seek God's face. We must seek to know him. Living for Him is not religion or service it is relationship.

2. Brother Huntly, "Openess, The Key to Miraculous Manifestation"

God wants to do miraculous things in our lives He is just waiting for our faith just to say "I am open to it"

3. Brother Graham, "The Tree has already been Planted"

God has already made provision for us. He has set in motion events that will provide for our needs before we even need them.

2007 will be a year of great manifestation and power. Thank God for His voice in my life.

Along with the great preaching and fabulous services it was wonderful to have fellowship with such great and sincere men. I had the privilege of fellowshipping with Scott Phillips, Terry Long, Jeremy Price, Joel Mitchell, Jim Renfro, Gary Wheeler, Mike Littlefield, Gary Evenson, and many others. Thank God for passionate men who have the kingdom forever before their eyes.

Because of the Times 2007

Brother Scott Phillips and I are headed to BOTT tomorrow. We are anticipating a great move of God.

Over the next few days I will be reporting the daily happenings at BOTT 2007.

God Bless!

Extreme Makeover: Heart Edition

This is a short Bible Study that I taught to our church (Oak Park Church) last year. Again, it is in skeletal outline form.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

On USATODAY.com I saw an article entitled Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and it caught my eye. According to this article it was voted the most popular “reality show” on TV. It seems this show picks a needy family and totally transforms there humble home into an amazing place of comfort and technology.

The Lord works in our lives in a similar yet greater fashion. If we will allow Him, He will take our lost and broken lives and transform them into His image.

Extreme Makeover: Heart Edition

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

If we are risen in Christ!

Every remodel starts with demolition and removal of debris.

Mortify or kill

1. Fornication

2. Uncleanness

3. Inordinate affection

4. Evil concupiscence – to desire evil or sin

5. Covetousness – to long for another’s possessions

6. Idolatry

7. Anger - temper

8. Wrath - revenge

9. Malice - bitterness

10. Blasphemy

11. Filthy communication out of your mouth

12. Lie not one to another

The next step is to put things back in order the way that they should be.

Bring to life

1. Bowels of mercies

2. Kindness

3. Humbleness of mind - modesty

4. Meekness - mildness

5. Longsuffering

6. Forbearing one another

7. Forgiving one another

8. Put on charity

9. Let the peace of god rule in your hearts

10. Be thankful

11. Let the word of Christ dwell in you

12. Do it all in the name of Jesus!

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.