Nov
28.
Wise or Simple
Category: Wisdom
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Proverbs 27:12
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

This verse reveals to us two kinds of people—the prudent and the simple.  Both are headed down the same path. Both “see danger” but they react differently.  And, because of this, they experiences two very different outcomes. In Proverbs, a prudent person is a wise person. Proverbs implies that a wise man or woman understands that all of life is connected. There is a cause-and-effect relationship between what he chooses today and what he experiences tomorrow. This is why wise people look as far down the road as possible when making decisions. Drawing upon the experiences of others or on their own experiences, they anticipate the future and choose wisely.

“…but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” (v.12)

Suffer for what? For turning a blind eye to the obvious. The simple suffer because they live as if there is no connection between the choices of today and the experiences of tomorrow. They overlook the fact that every decision is a path and every path has a destination. Like it or not, all decisions have consequences.

There is a point at which it becomes impossible to sidestep consequences.

If you were to ask a simple person if they believe there is connection between the choices they make today and what they will experience in the future, they would say yes. Again, it’s not that they don’t believe life is connected. The point is they don’t live as if it is. Every time you talk yourself out of exercising, you talk yourself out of a preferred future. Every time you light up a cigarette, lie to your spouse, spend money you don’t have, make the wrong people your friends and companions, you act as if today is in no way connected to tomorrow. You “see danger.” Yet instead of “taking refuge”, you “keep going.” We have all heard that experience is the best teacher.  But is it really? We have all said, “I’ll never do that again” about something. We knew what the outcome would be, but kept going anyway.

The primary difference between the wise and the simple is not what they see but how they respond to what they see. The wise see danger and take refuge.  The simple see danger and keep going. Pay attention to what’s out ahead of you. When you see trouble coming, take refuge. Change direction. Because it is the direction of your life that will determine your destination.

-PK

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Nov
22.
CHOOSE YOUR PATH WISELY
Category: Direction, Encouragement
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It’s funny really, but we all have a propensity for choosing paths that do not lead in the direction we want to go. Let me give you a few examples.

 

 

 
•  A single guy says, “I want a great sex life once I’m married”…but he “practices” with every girl he dates along the way.

•  A single girl says, “I want to meet and someday marry a great Christian guy who’s really got his act together” … but then she dates whoever asks her out, as long as he’s cute.

•  A married woman says, “I want to have a great relationship with my husband”… but she makes the children a priority over him.

•  A husband says, “I want my kids to respect me as they grow up” …and then he openly flirts with women he associates with on a daily basis.

•  A young Christian says, “I want to develop a deep and lasting intimacy with God” … so he gets up every morning early and reads Facebook.

•  A couple says, “We’d like our children to develop a personal relationship with God and choose friends who have done the same” … but then they skip church every weekend and do other things.

•  Newlyweds determine to be financially secure by the time the reach their parent’s age … then adopt a lifestyle sustained by debt and leveraged assets.

•  A high school freshman intends to graduate with a GPA that will afford him options as he selects a college … but neglects his studies.

Obviously, this list could go on and on but I think you get my point. The people my list represents have legitimate goals and oftentimes every good intention of reaching them. What is important to understand is that direction-not intentions, hopes, dreams, prayers, beliefs, intellect, or education-determines destination.

Direction—not intention—determines our destination.

Looking ahead we are often deceived into thinking that life is a series of unrelated decisions, and somehow we will end up where we want to be simply by force of will or luck. But the truth is, our good intentions, aspirations, and dreams do not have the ability to do an end run around the decisions we make on a daily basis. Simply put, you and I will win or lose in life by the paths we choose. If you stepped off the path, you can get back on. If you never were on the path or you’re not sure how to get on it, find someone who is on it and ask them how it is done. Remember, they path you are on today is leading somewhere and that somewhere is your future. You might try looking in the rear-view mirror and see where you have come from these past months or even years and then you will know for certain what direction you are headed.

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Nov
07.
God’s Way or My Way?
Category: Podcast
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Every believer must face the same question, “Will I do things my way or God’s way?” In this message we will look at King Balak and God’s stubborn prophet Balaam.

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Jul
30.
Where Is God?
Category: Truth
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As a Pastor, teacher, and mentor to college age young people, I am continually striving to help give godly advice and to assist them in their personal lives and spiritual growth. One of the things I encounter from this age group is their desire to SEE GOD and to EXPERIENCE HIS PRESENCE in their lives. Yet, God has set certain conditions and rules that determine who may approach HIM and find HIM.

Psalm 24:3-6 NLT
Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.  They will receive the LORD’S blessing and have right standing with God their savior. They alone may enter God’s presence and worship the God of Israel.

The scripture makes it clear that there is a certain place that GOD’S PRESENCE dwells. Many young people are on a search to find God, but they are unfulfilled in their pursuit because it seems after all their searching and praying, GOD seems to hide HIMSELF from them. The fact is, “You can’t find GOD in a place where HE’S not, no matter how hard you search or how much you wish He would be.”

Many young people want to enjoy the compromises the world offers and at the same time remain spiritual in the eyes of their peers and in their own eyes. Understanding that this is impossible, we must come up with ways to live with this divided and diluted mindset. So we lie to ourselves and say things like, “I want to stay relevant to my generation” or “I don’t want to be labeled a religious fanatic by my peers (in the sense that it’s not a cool religious fanatic).

The word integrity means complete, undivided or set-apart. GOD constantly commanded the Israelites in the Old Testament not to mix and mingle with the different peoples such as the Amorites, Hittites, etc… GOD knew they would dilute and pollute them and in turn, because GOD is holy, they would be unable to approach HIM. You may argue that we are now under the dispensation of grace and not under law. This is true; however, GOD’S holiness is constant. GOD is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In the New Testament the Scriptures says, “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God–who chose you to be his children–is holy. For he himself has said, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 NLT

The truth of the matter is there is no easy path to finding GOD. No magic pill or 5 step principle to apply. Many say they want to find God, but they really don’t mean what they say or they seek to find a god to meet their lifestyle and label that god “GOD”.

God has a RIGHT WAY, ONE WAY of approaching HIM. You can’t be a rogue, out from under authority, accountability, and mentoring and also achieve a deep relationship with God. Be wise, mature, and discerning in your walk with GOD so HE will be able to reveal HIMSELF to you as you search for HIM. REMEMBER, GOD CAN’T AND WON’T BE SOMEWHERE HE IS NOT!

-PK

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Mar
13.
How God Opens and Closes Doors
Category: Podcast
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Many believers use the term “God opened the door” or “God closed the door”. In this message I will take a revealing look at how God opens and closes doors in the life of a believer. Sometimes closed doors should be opened and opened doors should be closed. The key for every believer is knowing which one?

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