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Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, (Luke 15:1-3 KJV)


These verses are a set up for the parables that follow. One of these is is the parable of the prodigal son. In that is shown how the grace of God is available to all men. There is also revelation of the Value that God places on His creation man and how he receives one back into the household of God.

There is no conditions for his son’s return and no restrictions on him as he is brought back into the father’s house. A full restoration of all… A robe given…reconciliation..a ring given..acceptance, and shoes for his feet. Welcome home son.

Jesus was showing by this parable that what He was doing with the Publicans and sinners is the very heart of God.

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:22-24 KJV)

See Matthew 23:25-28 for what the Scribes and Pharisees were likened to. The elder brother is representative of the attitude of the Pharisees. Outwardly clean but inside they missed it.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:3-7 KJV)

I Can Do All Things

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. (Psalms 139:14 NASB)

I have been dealing with several physical ailments in my body for quite some time now. I have type II diabetes, I had a quad by pass surgery for my heart, and I have been dealing with colo/rectal cancer, that has matastacized into my lungs, since 2008. The operation for the colo/rectal cancer left me with a bag on my side, no galbladder, or appendix and a somewhat deformed bellybutton. So one could possibly say that I have been through the perverbial mill in the last 5 years of my life. However in all of what has transpired I have found that the grace of God that was sufficient for the Apostle Paul is also sufficient for me.

I am a pastor and I have only missed six days preaching as a direct cause of all the surgeries and treatments that I have endured. Even when I feel so weak from the chemo treatments, when I step into the pulpit I can preach for as long as is necessary because God by His grace strengthens me, but when I am done preaching I have to go sit down. God does uphold us with His strong right hand.

The endurance that God causes us to have is amazing to me and I have found the body to be able to endure far more than I ever imagined possible before I entered in to the journey of life that I am now on. Though the path is sometimes hard to walk down I have found that I can do all things through Him that strengthens me.

Be encouraged today
Pastor Kitner

Zealous of GOOD works!

Does the following describe your walk with The Lord?

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should 
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking 
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God 
and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he 
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a 
peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, 
and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise 
thee. (Titus 2:11-15 KJV)

Along with a genuine love for the brethren being zealous of 
good works is a mark of one who has been brought out of 
darkness and into His marvelous light..

Are you zealous of good works knowing that this was one 
of the reasons that Jesus went to the cross?

God bless you richly as you serve Him.
Pastor Kitner

Cancer can't stop God's goodness!

I have stage 4 cancer in my lungs from colorectal cancer metastasizing after 3 years. Some people see this as a negative and don't understand how much of a plus it is. I am still very blessed of The Lord. God is GOOD all the time no matter what goes on around us. I have had opportunities to talk to people about The Lord even in the cancer treatment center. I have lead several people to The Lord there. I also developed a friend there that I go to breakfast with every once in a while when we are both up to it. Our family has gotten closer in it all and I have gotten to spend more quality time with them which thrills my very soul. I love them very much. Our grandsons come over to visit and one of them is redoing our bathroom for us. He works in building and construction.

I have God's perfect peace and have no fear whatsoever in all because The Lord sent a Word to me through a godly person used of God in the prophetic, before I knew that I needed it. That Word was from Isaiah 54:17. NO weapon FORMED against you shall prosper, with the key emphasis being on the word FORMED.  This word was given several weeks before I had my colonoscopy done. It was at that time I found out that I had cancer of the rectum. I instantly had God's peace and have had it ever since.

I pastor a church and I have tried with God's help to be a living example for the people as to the grace of God being sufficient for us. In my weakness His strength has been shown in my life. Grace IS God's power accomplishing in and through you what you could not do. I am a walking testimony of that. I want nothing less than God to be glorified in my life.

I guess what I am trying to say here is for one going through trials and tribulations in this life to look at all things through the eyes of The Lord concerning your life. He has a plan and destiny for us all and as Christians He is in control of our entire life as we serve Him. Nothing takes Him by surprise, ever, and Jesus is in our boat...to go to the other side.. He speaks peace be still to life's storms.

Blessings and encouragement to you from
Pastor Kitner

Priorities of Life

Christian - Do you realize that your time on this earth is the shortest period of your life. On the timeline of from everlasting to everlasting the time on this earth is but a dot on the line. We use some much time seeking to make all we can here and neglect the eternal things of life for which we are destined.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 KJV)

Be Blessed

Pastor Kitner

Keep Looking Up

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1 KJV)

In watching the American and the world political scene I am convinced that the church needs to concentrate on doing the "Fathers Business". We have a Great Commission and the Great Commandment that is to be that which spurs us on into action. We need to be those who are going into the highways and hedges compelling people to come in.. Church prayer meetings should be the churches norm! With the prayer being for The Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest. Prayer for the Leaders of the nations, political and Spiritual.

The politics of this world system is so corrupt that there is no turning back to righteousness politicly speaking. Lies and concealment and denial are the order of the day. Our own president speaks out of both sides of his mouth all the time. He gives aide and weapons to those who are avowed enemies of the country and nothing is done by the congress of the US. Look at the Benghazi disaster and how it has been handled. There is a direction that has been on the agenda for this country and they are going there.

 We are in perilous times NOW and the signs of the time says a one world government is well on the way... We should not be surprised at the political or Spiritual decline in our nation or around the world. Those who are the Lords must press in close to Him so they are not deceived.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: (Colossians 3:1-6 KJV)

The church must be a stand out for the world .. letting our lights so shine before men that they would see our good works and glorify the Father which is in Heaven.

Blessing on Ya!
Pastor Kitner

The Real Battle Line

Don't underestimate our enemy!!!

Acts 5:3 -
Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Ac 26:18 -
to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Ro 16:20 -
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

1Co 5:5 -
hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

1Co 7:5 -
Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

2Co 2:11 -
in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

2Co 11:14 -
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

2Co 12:7 -
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

1Th 2:18 -
For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-- but Satan stopped us.

2Th 2:9 -
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,

1Ti 1:20 -
Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

1Ti 5:15 -
Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

Re 2:9 -
I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Re 2:13 -
I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.

Re 2:24 -
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you):

Re 3:9 -
I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

Re 12:9 -
The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Re 20:2 -
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

Re 20:7 -
When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison

I have been thinking about how the church tends to ignore the very real opposition of the enemy. If you look at the New Testament verses above from the Book of Acts through Revelation, you will see that we are his priority, and the first century church knew it. He never quits! So we must respect this reality and fight the good fight. Unless we take our stand by putting on the whole armor of God, we will
not be victorious. So please remember that our Sovereign God has decided to permit this activity gainst us. But by His Grace and Power within us, Satan cannot overcome us. We must be the overcomers!

Out of the Classroom

There are time in our Christian walk when we are in the classroom. The classroom being the church setting such as the preaching and teaching of the Word, Sunday School or a special classes for a particular group of people. The classroom is also found outside the four walls of the church with special meetings of all kinds that help us to understand the Scriptures, who Jesus is, who we are in Christ, our commission and call and a long list of other subjects that are endless. All of these are good in our quest for knowledge, wisdom and understanding. However there is another aspect of our walk other than the classroom setting.

In Mark chapter 4 Jesus was teaching the people including the disciples by parables about the kingdom of God until verse 35 where a transition takes place. He takes the disciples into the practicum experiences with Him that reveal some truths about Jesus and the kingdom by demonstration. Jesus does this with us as well.

Several lessons are to be learned in the lab work with The Lord.
1. Jesus sets the agenda. vs. #35
2. Jesus is in the boat with them. vs. #36
3. Storms come into our lives. vs.#37
4. Things can look hopeless. vs. #37
5. It might appear that Jesus who is with you doesn't care. vs. #38
6. Jesus is able to calm your storm and still the waters. vs. #39
7. Our walk is a faith walk. vs. #40

Jesus is Lord over the elements, trust Him - He is in your boat, in this first portion of the practicum.
This is continued in Mark chapter 5. We will look there next.

Be blessed
Pastor Kitner
  

REPENT!!!

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38 KJV)

REPENT seems to be a forgotten word in the "Christian" vocabulary.

IIChronicles 7:14 - and turn from your wicked ways..... that is to repent!

How can you obey God and still carry on in sin. Paul says shall we continue in sin.... God forbid.

Do you truly want change in our nation? Then it starts with REPENT....!

Do you want change in your life? Then it starts with REPENT....!

If you are truly following Christ then you will obey Him. Repentence is a turning from sin to righteousness, a turning for rebellion to obedience, a running to God and not from Him.

Repentence shows a heart that started to desire truth in the inward parts, one that desires true change in their life so they can walk in the light as He is in the light.

The church needs to stand up and shout REPENT -  and.............!

Be blessed in Christ

Pastor Kitner

Getting the Facts

Information Literacy Today

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Having recognized the need for information: Information Literacy is the ability to obtain, judge the quality of and use the information obtained.In today's knowledge driven society one needs to be literate in several different ways. Not only knowing how to read, which unlocks the door to knowledge, but also one needs to be literate in accessing and retrieving information from a much wider variety of sources than in years gone by. The old card catalog is dead, so to speak. Everything has been digitized, for the most part, in the major libraries, the college and university library systems. This combined with sources on the Internet, the World Wide Web and the modern software versions of encyclopedias and books, has demanded that one either learn or relearn the methods to attain the information that is needed. Information literacy includes knowing how to utilize the tools, that are available to us today, to get the information that we need.
The Internet could be called the "Gateway to the Future". Today the potential of the vast resources of the Internet and all that it is comprised of, is like the era of the invention of the automobile, the telephone or the launching of the space program. The avenues are many and the opportunities abound in the new realms of the yet untapped potential of the Internet and it's multitude of uses. There have been so many added resources for information that we have to develop the skills necessary to mine the gold and leave the unprofitable waste where it is. The mind has yet to unlock all the potential that is there and harness it for the "Greater Good" of all mankind.
Unlike the "good old days" when reading, writing and arithmetic were the mainstay of learning, we must now add, at least basic computer knowledge. Information literacy must include knowing how to use the library tools such as,Electronic Information Network(EIN), EBESCO host, Infotrac Search Bank, and others found in the Online Reference Center in the Point Park College Library Center. The main Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Free-Net with the Current Magazine and Newspaper and other Mediasection are all welcome helpers at our disposal as well. Other resources include information from other Library Centers, State and Federal Government information sites and the different educational sites that are available to us. The knowledge of and use of Internet tools such as the many search engines and directories is a must in "the information age" in which we live. These, used to their fullest capabilities, become very useful to aide in narrowing down our searches for specific classifications and types of information.
Part of the utilizing of these tools is the basic knowledge of the computer it's operation and some of the software that is available for our convenience. Application software such as Word Perfect Office, MS Word, Excel, Access, Netscape, Internet Explorer, different e-mail programs, and website builders/editors can all be valuable tools in our hands as we increase our knowledge of their use.
The Internet has a tremendous amount of information available but not all of it is reliable. Knowing a criteria for evaluating the Internet offerings is a critical part of information literacy in our ever-changing technological society.Numerous books and web sites are available for us to see how some have done this. One good web site resource page, giving us some criteria for judging the information offered for our use is, Ten C's for Evaluating Internet Sources. All of these things, working together, can make our access to and retrieval of good reliable information for our personal, business and research use faster, easier and more reliable.
In printed matter, such as books, periodicals, magazine articles and such like, one can readily identify the author, subject matter, reference materials and sources, and the publishers. On the Internet it is more difficult to gather all the information that you need. At times the critical helpers that aide us in identifying viable material just aren't there.Here is a helper site for one to identify properly the place where information is obtained.  
The age we live in is one of media hype, sound bytes and powerful influence. The dissemination of information that used to take days, weeks and even months can now, literally in seconds be sent around the world in text, picture, video and TV formats. One can e-mail a friend in Germany in seconds instead of waiting for the regular mail to reach them 5 to 7 days later. We are living literally on "The Breaking Wave" of technology today.
The better equipped we are to both find and judge the available information with the guideline of a good solid criteria the better able we are to handle it correctly. Information Literacy is a must for everyone.  

A Coming Storm!

As I sat in the cancer treatment center The Lord spoke to my heart some things that I want to share here. I was not asking about such things but this word came to me as I sat waiting for chemo.

There is a coming storm to our country. It will be within our country and the fury of it could be likened to the force of 10 category 5 tornados.

What was spoken to my heart was that there will be a major division in our country. Not like a north/south or east/west division but a neighborhoods division and a type of mass confusion. Which is from the major divide of "IDEALS".

People will begin to look at one another as potential enemies because of the divide. A great cloud of distrust will blanket the nation. Deception will get worse.

Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:4 Take heed that no man deceive you.

Don't get caught up in the world but seek those things that are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God.

Blessings on Ya
Pastor Kitner