The Way Out Of Temptation

For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 1 Cor 10:13 AMP

I could not have said it any better myself....

rks

Rest In Peace

I borrowed this from Pastor Jay Jones blog.....


Obituary Notice

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated valuable lessons such as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, that life is not always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I Am A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because few realized he was gone.

~ Excerpted from “Obituary Notice,” by Martha Parker in The Pentecostal Herald, 6/08

Incredible Pic From The Hubble

New pics released from the Hubble telescope remind me of the greatness of the God who numbers the stars and calls them by name.....

And the surreality that all of this happened by accident rather than intelligent design....

This places a single verse in my heart this morning....

The fool has said there is no God.

Blessings....

rks

Quote concerning truth.....

"The 1st generation gets excited about it, the 2nd generation makes it routine, the 3rd generation makes monuments to it, the 4th generation questions it, and then God has to start over with the 5th generation...."

Truth Stands Tall

Look around your world and see how truth is doing.....

It seems to me truth always prevails....

Whether it be politics, family, home, career or the church.....

Truth always rises up out of the smoke and ashes of her enemies....

Truth prevails....

While some will manufacture opposition to truth.....

There is no amount of money or energy that can withstand truth when she is wielded by someone who loves her....

In the United Pentecostal Church there is a grass roots gathering of men who are tired of every wind of doctrine.....

They are weary of the spiritual tumbleweeds who go this way and that.....

They weary of the latest religious fads and gimmicks....

And they have taken hold anew on truth and rise up....

So truth prevails...

Truth stands tall.....

Personally I am weary of all the latest gimmickry of relative Pentecostalism...

Give me truth that is timeless and we will build a church....

When today's fads and gimmicks are gathering dust in forgotten store rooms....

Truth will proudly yet humbly stand tall....

And I hope to have my arms wrapped around her.....

Blessings...

rks

Labor Day Sunday

Most pastors I know dread two particular Sundays.....

Memorial Day and Labor Day Sundays.....

Most of the home folks will be away on such days and rightfully so.....

But we the soldiers of the pulpit remain to shepherd the remaining and welcome the weekend visitors....

Today I will not worry about those that are away for that will be futile....

I will haply rejoice with those here....

Celebrate the visitors that will be with us.....

And will do due diligence to reach and find....

The lost coin, prodigal or single sheep that is here and hungry.....

Blessings to each of you this Labor Day Sunday!!!!

rks

Free on Bond

The bond servant had the scratches on the wall to confirm that indeed today was his seventh year.....

Today was his day of freedom....

He had come bankrupt, empty handed and nowhere else to go....

Today was freedom day......

As he gathered his possessions he looked around and paused.....

He had come with nothing.....

But now the Master had given him a wife and she had given him a family......

How can I leave them?

No doubt she paused with her chores and cast a look of curiosity and worry his way.....

When he dropped his bag and strode from the room....

To the Master's house....

Sir please come with me to the front porch......

Here sir is the awl......

Sir please do it quickly.......

So Master and servant leaned close to the doorpost and the awl was quickly driven through the servant's ear forever marking him as....

A love slave.....

He decided to stay because he had so much more in the Master's place than he had ever had in his own....

And then he had been given things...

Like his wife and family......

He loved them all....

This day he was free to go.....

But he was also free to stay.......

And the benefits of staying far outweighed the benefits of going.....

My blogger friend.....

The benefits of a relationship with Jesus Christ far outweigh being the master of your own universe....

The servant was more free than you or I might imagine....

He decided to stay.....

He chose the bond of love.....

He indeed was free....

Free on Bond.....

Blessings......

BTW.....

Since He was nailed to the cross for me I am nailed to the church for Him....

I Am The United Pentecostal Church

Twas a nice little gathering of RPG's (regular preacher guys).....

All were credentialed with the United Pentecostal Church Int.....

During the talk a round the guy from Maryland mentioned that he was not in the loop of things....

The Illinois guy mentioned he wasn't very well connected....

The Okie mentioned he felt isolated.....

The Kansas guy mentioned we should just pray for him......

The Alabama guy drawled out that down in his neck of the woods they were a long way from where things were happening.....

When something came over this Texas guy and I interrupted the discussion....

Listen to us....

We are all expressing that we do not feel a part and are isolated and and feel a long way from the mainstream....

Brothers I declared......

We are the mainstream!!!

What happens in every local church is the mainstream of the movement....

Here we were a group of successful pastors who will collectively preach to thousands Sunday morning and we failed to realize that we indeed are the UPCI....

Brethren and members of the UPCI....

You are the UPCI....

Stand up in your sections and districts and committees and be heard.....

Proudly remember that it is ministers just like you and I that comprise this wonderful movement....

RPG's (regular preacher guys) just like you are the heartbeat of our beloved church....

We the regular preacher guys from all over the country and around the world are what comprise the United Pentecostal Church....

Without us there is no UPCI.....

RPG's are the UPCI....

I am an RPG!

I Am The United Pentecostal Church!!!

Blessings...

rks