I Have Finished My Course
2 Timothy 4:6-8(KJV)
6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Can you with Paul say these things about yourself with an assurance that you have completed your course of life?
In order to say that in our lives, several things have to happen.
1. You need to know what the course of your life is – purpose.
2. You need to know how to fight the good fight – warfare.
3. You need to keep the faith – know in whom you have believed.
4. You need to be steadfast – focused
So many Christians go through life with no goal or target to aim at. Bouncing around in the sea of life like a tiny bobber at the mercy of the currents of life. They are just tossed to and fro by the waves of life's ups and downs at will.
To finish our course with the idea of being successful in our life we must find our purpose, and know who we are to the degree that it becomes the driving force of our life and faith. This necessitates the giving ourselves to it to the fullest being steadfast, unwavering in our faithfulness to the calling and purpose of God for our life.
Be blessed
Pastor Kitner
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Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
If I live to be 100
"Show me, Lord, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure. "Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be. "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7 NIV)
In reality life on this earth is the shortest part of our existance. If we live to be 110 it is still only a dot on the timeline of eternity. Yet folks spend most of their time on the earth seeking the temporal riches that will all disapear or that will be left behind for others to enjoy or waste depending on their philosophy of life. So what is the point here. Well it would stand to reason that one would prepare more for the longest period of his or her existance.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 NIV)
If you are indeed a Christian, what is your affection set on. Earthly riches, things and matters of satisfying the flesh or heavenly things preparing for the time you will be with Jesus Christ forever. Where is your treasure for where it is there will your heart be set.
Jesus spoke to this matter in several ways and the following scripture is one way that He addressed the importance of our relationship with God.
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37, 39, 40 NIV)
Focus on the more important things of this life for they are the eternal values that will carry you through eternity.
Be blessed,
Pastor Kitner
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure. "Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be. "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7 NIV)
In reality life on this earth is the shortest part of our existance. If we live to be 110 it is still only a dot on the timeline of eternity. Yet folks spend most of their time on the earth seeking the temporal riches that will all disapear or that will be left behind for others to enjoy or waste depending on their philosophy of life. So what is the point here. Well it would stand to reason that one would prepare more for the longest period of his or her existance.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 NIV)
If you are indeed a Christian, what is your affection set on. Earthly riches, things and matters of satisfying the flesh or heavenly things preparing for the time you will be with Jesus Christ forever. Where is your treasure for where it is there will your heart be set.
Jesus spoke to this matter in several ways and the following scripture is one way that He addressed the importance of our relationship with God.
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37, 39, 40 NIV)
Focus on the more important things of this life for they are the eternal values that will carry you through eternity.
Be blessed,
Pastor Kitner
Monday, February 13, 2012
Get Understanding!
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7 KJV)
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:13-18 KJV)
Wisdom is something to desire and seek after for sure as one can see from the scriptures above.
One can also see that there is more to get as well as wisdom and that is understanding.
Understanding can be looked at in at least two ways as I view it. The first way to look at what understanding is for us is the correct application of wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge of what is correct to do but if it is not correctly applied to our lives it has been gotten in vain. Solomon was wise but after a while lacked proper understanding where what he knew was not applied to his own life and he was drawn aside from doing what was right to do. His judgement was clouded. The second way to view understanding can be seen in the correct identification of wisdom and it's source. For instance in the Garden of Eden the serpent told eve that if she would eat from the tree in in the midst of the garden that her eyes would be opened. Eve lacked understanding of the source of the wisdom offered to her because it touched her physical senses as being good.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6 KJV)
We need to depend on God's Word and not our senses only in the discernment of the source of the wisdom offered too us. James 3:17 is a guide to understanding the source of wisdom as being from God or not. If we understand the source as being correct then we can endeavor to properly apply the wisdom in our lives with good results.
Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:13-18 KJV)
Wisdom is something to desire and seek after for sure as one can see from the scriptures above.
One can also see that there is more to get as well as wisdom and that is understanding.
Understanding can be looked at in at least two ways as I view it. The first way to look at what understanding is for us is the correct application of wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge of what is correct to do but if it is not correctly applied to our lives it has been gotten in vain. Solomon was wise but after a while lacked proper understanding where what he knew was not applied to his own life and he was drawn aside from doing what was right to do. His judgement was clouded. The second way to view understanding can be seen in the correct identification of wisdom and it's source. For instance in the Garden of Eden the serpent told eve that if she would eat from the tree in in the midst of the garden that her eyes would be opened. Eve lacked understanding of the source of the wisdom offered to her because it touched her physical senses as being good.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6 KJV)
We need to depend on God's Word and not our senses only in the discernment of the source of the wisdom offered too us. James 3:17 is a guide to understanding the source of wisdom as being from God or not. If we understand the source as being correct then we can endeavor to properly apply the wisdom in our lives with good results.
Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Expectations
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? (Luke 16:10-12 KJV)
What I have observed in the church is that the expectations of God from us is one of the least approached topics. God looks for faithfulness from His children. Here in these scriptures it is shown as something that is important. It is a measure of our trustworthiness in the handling of the things of the kingdom. Faithfulness in the handling of finances even that are not yours. Taking care of something that belongs to others shows that the responsibility is there for more that is your own.
In Matthew 25:14-30 shows us that the good and faithful servants were each rewarded with the invitation to enter into the joy of the Lord and the one servant that had gotten less to work with than the other two, didn't meet any of the expectations of the master and was not rewarded. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30 KJV)
Adam and Eve were told to be fruitful and multiply so from the begining we see that God has expectations and the body of Christ needs to be made aware once again that this is so. What does God expect from you personally?
Blessings on Ya
Pastor Kitner
What I have observed in the church is that the expectations of God from us is one of the least approached topics. God looks for faithfulness from His children. Here in these scriptures it is shown as something that is important. It is a measure of our trustworthiness in the handling of the things of the kingdom. Faithfulness in the handling of finances even that are not yours. Taking care of something that belongs to others shows that the responsibility is there for more that is your own.
In Matthew 25:14-30 shows us that the good and faithful servants were each rewarded with the invitation to enter into the joy of the Lord and the one servant that had gotten less to work with than the other two, didn't meet any of the expectations of the master and was not rewarded. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30 KJV)
Adam and Eve were told to be fruitful and multiply so from the begining we see that God has expectations and the body of Christ needs to be made aware once again that this is so. What does God expect from you personally?
Blessings on Ya
Pastor Kitner
Thursday, February 2, 2012
How do You Handle Stress?
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:1-6 KJV) (Read 1 Samuel 30:1-20)
And you think you are stressed out when you come home from a hard day's work. David and his men came home to total devastation. Their families taken captive, their posessions taken and their homes destroyed by fire. David and all that were with him wailed and cried aloud weeping until they could weep no more. All of them were in anguish including David but the men began to blame David and wanted to stone him. David had lost his two wives and his posessions also and his anguish and distress was the same as theirs at that point. The difference was in how the men and David approached the situation. We can learn here too.
There were two courses of action shown here in this situation. The one course was shown by the way that the men who had fought alongside David reacted and how they wanted to solve their perception of the problem at hand and the other was how David approached the whole thing.
The men who were grieved sought to lay blame on someone for the situation. David was where they decided to lay the blame for their troubles. Their reasoning could have been, after all if we hadn't been off with David doing battle we would still have our families and all of our posessions. They wanted to extract a pound of flesh. The question is this: would it have solved the real problem at hand? Their reasoning power was clouded and working from the feelings of their hurt, both mentally and emotionally. Have you ever been there and done that?
David on the other hand, even though he was the leader and had suffered the same losses as the others and was feeling the pain of it, took a different approach to the total problem at hand. He first encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Not reacting from feelings of the flesh but going to God. Encouraging himself in the Lord. David knew God and His nature, and the abilities of God to help in the time of trouble. He reflected on God and promises that he knew God had made. Next he sent for the priest Abiathar and asked him to bring the ephod to him. He then enquired of God concerning the problem that they all had and as to what he should do. He got God's answer and acted on it, pursued and recovered all for everybody concerned not just for himself.
The lesson I see here is that in times of stress and extreme stress we should not panic. We should not react from the hurts of our felsh and out of emotions with an irrational mindset or out of selfishness, concerned with only ourselves. We need to reflect on God, His nature and His unchanging Word and ask Him what to do, getting His direction and obeying his instructions to us. Then the solution to the real problem will benefit all concerned.
Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner
And you think you are stressed out when you come home from a hard day's work. David and his men came home to total devastation. Their families taken captive, their posessions taken and their homes destroyed by fire. David and all that were with him wailed and cried aloud weeping until they could weep no more. All of them were in anguish including David but the men began to blame David and wanted to stone him. David had lost his two wives and his posessions also and his anguish and distress was the same as theirs at that point. The difference was in how the men and David approached the situation. We can learn here too.
There were two courses of action shown here in this situation. The one course was shown by the way that the men who had fought alongside David reacted and how they wanted to solve their perception of the problem at hand and the other was how David approached the whole thing.
The men who were grieved sought to lay blame on someone for the situation. David was where they decided to lay the blame for their troubles. Their reasoning could have been, after all if we hadn't been off with David doing battle we would still have our families and all of our posessions. They wanted to extract a pound of flesh. The question is this: would it have solved the real problem at hand? Their reasoning power was clouded and working from the feelings of their hurt, both mentally and emotionally. Have you ever been there and done that?
David on the other hand, even though he was the leader and had suffered the same losses as the others and was feeling the pain of it, took a different approach to the total problem at hand. He first encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Not reacting from feelings of the flesh but going to God. Encouraging himself in the Lord. David knew God and His nature, and the abilities of God to help in the time of trouble. He reflected on God and promises that he knew God had made. Next he sent for the priest Abiathar and asked him to bring the ephod to him. He then enquired of God concerning the problem that they all had and as to what he should do. He got God's answer and acted on it, pursued and recovered all for everybody concerned not just for himself.
The lesson I see here is that in times of stress and extreme stress we should not panic. We should not react from the hurts of our felsh and out of emotions with an irrational mindset or out of selfishness, concerned with only ourselves. We need to reflect on God, His nature and His unchanging Word and ask Him what to do, getting His direction and obeying his instructions to us. Then the solution to the real problem will benefit all concerned.
Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
What's Your Goal?
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23 KJV)
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12 KJV)
People wander around aimlessly with no real purpose, They are wondering who am I and what am I here for?
I started a series in the church I pastor, inspired by the book "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. I have observed that much of the church is in the same place that the unbeliever is in because they don't have a grasp on their purpose in this life. Paul puts it into perspective when he says: I must apprehend that for which I also have been apprehended. Many people never get there.
Your job may or may not be part of your purpose. A job is a provision as a means to an end at times. It provides you with money to carry out your purpose. For example Paul was a tent maker.
I want to ask you today the same question that my father-in-law always asked me, and it used to drive me up a tree so to speak. He used to ask me "What's your goal boy, what's your goal?" Well what's your goal? What is that thing that drives all that you do? To what end are your striving for? In other words, what is your purpose in this life?
My purpose is doing what Paul said in apprehending that for which I have also been apprehended and to hear those words of Jesus when I stand before Him. "Well done my good and faithful servant". Everything in my life hinges on these two factors.
In order for one to get to that point they must build their relationship with the Lord of their life and come to the place where they obey Him and fulfill their purpose no matter where they are. God has saved us unto good works that are ordained by Him.
What's your goal, purpose, and/or calling? Do you know?
Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12 KJV)
People wander around aimlessly with no real purpose, They are wondering who am I and what am I here for?
I started a series in the church I pastor, inspired by the book "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. I have observed that much of the church is in the same place that the unbeliever is in because they don't have a grasp on their purpose in this life. Paul puts it into perspective when he says: I must apprehend that for which I also have been apprehended. Many people never get there.
Your job may or may not be part of your purpose. A job is a provision as a means to an end at times. It provides you with money to carry out your purpose. For example Paul was a tent maker.
I want to ask you today the same question that my father-in-law always asked me, and it used to drive me up a tree so to speak. He used to ask me "What's your goal boy, what's your goal?" Well what's your goal? What is that thing that drives all that you do? To what end are your striving for? In other words, what is your purpose in this life?
My purpose is doing what Paul said in apprehending that for which I have also been apprehended and to hear those words of Jesus when I stand before Him. "Well done my good and faithful servant". Everything in my life hinges on these two factors.
In order for one to get to that point they must build their relationship with the Lord of their life and come to the place where they obey Him and fulfill their purpose no matter where they are. God has saved us unto good works that are ordained by Him.
What's your goal, purpose, and/or calling? Do you know?
Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Stone Disappears
January 25, 2012
I went today to have a kidney stone removed through a laser procedure. However when they went into the ureter and even up into the kidney they could not find the stone that had definitely been there. I had had a CTSCAN that showed it lodged in the ureter and the urin backup into the kidney and the doctor had shown me the scan and all that was concerned with it. There was no question that the stone was in the ureter and they had the measurements of it as well. The left ureter was about 6 times the size of the right one and that was because of the blockage.
Now, I did not pass this stone or I would have definitely known it. The doctor told me that if I would pass it that it would be like a woman having a 10# baby. So the question would be: Just what happened to this stone? I had a number of people praying for me and I believe that the Lord disenegrated it because I have had no pain with it at all and I did not feel anything at all pass in the urin. I will just say Praise the LORD and give testimony as to His goodness and Mercy to me.
Be blessed!
Pastor Kitner
I went today to have a kidney stone removed through a laser procedure. However when they went into the ureter and even up into the kidney they could not find the stone that had definitely been there. I had had a CTSCAN that showed it lodged in the ureter and the urin backup into the kidney and the doctor had shown me the scan and all that was concerned with it. There was no question that the stone was in the ureter and they had the measurements of it as well. The left ureter was about 6 times the size of the right one and that was because of the blockage.
Now, I did not pass this stone or I would have definitely known it. The doctor told me that if I would pass it that it would be like a woman having a 10# baby. So the question would be: Just what happened to this stone? I had a number of people praying for me and I believe that the Lord disenegrated it because I have had no pain with it at all and I did not feel anything at all pass in the urin. I will just say Praise the LORD and give testimony as to His goodness and Mercy to me.
Be blessed!
Pastor Kitner
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