This Has Been Said About Pastors!

And someone described the situation this way:
If the pastor is young, they say he lacks experience;
If his hair is gray, he's too old for the young people.
If he has five or six children, he has too many;
If he has none, he's setting a bad example.
If he preaches from notes, he has canned sermons and is dry;
If his messages are extemporaneous, he isn't deep enough.
If he caters to the poor in the church, he's playing to the grandstand;
If he pays attention to the wealthy, he's trying to be an aristocrat.
If he uses too many illustrations, he's neglecting the Bible;
If he doesn't include stories, he isn't clear.
If he condemns wrong, he's cranky;
If he doesn't preach against sin, they claim he is a compromiser.
If he preaches the truth, he's too offensive;
If he doesn't present the "whole counsel of God", he's a hypocrite.
If he fails to please everybody, he's hurting the church and should leave;
If he does make them all happy, he has no convictions.
If he drives an old car, he shames the congregation;
If he buys a new one, he's setting his affections on earthly things.
If he preaches all the time, the congregation gets tired of hearing just one man;
If he invites guest ministers, he's shirking his responsibility as pastor.
If he receives a large salary, he's mercenary;
If he gets a small one - well, then they say it proves he isn't worth much anyway.

Thank You (Lyrics)

Faith Promise Missions Giving at MKBC is a reflection of the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:19,20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"

Today marks yet another beginning of a new year with new faith promises by the people of Mt. Kenya Baptist Church to support missionaries who serve in regions beyond us. To highlight them, these are:
Stephen Lepakin in Baragoi - Samburu County
John Longisa - West Laikipia & Samburu County
Daniel Kalasinga - Doldol, Laikipia County
Peter Kasamba - Dar es salaam
Joseph Tabe - Ngenia-Kalalu Area, Laikipia County
Joseph Epung'ure - Maralal, Samburu County
Moses Gikundi - Muthara, Meru County
Joseph Lereluk - Samburu County
Lukas Mutunga - Kiirua, Meru County
James Tushura - Doldol, Laikipia North
Josephat Nyang'au - Jamuhuri-Kibera Slums, Nairobi County
and our Fellowship Fund.
 Please pray for them and remember them! The Music team sung this song by Ray Boltz to emphasize that it is about a big future in heaven that we commit to the commission.  It is about glorifying Jesus the Savior of world that we reach out! Thank for giving to the Lord!

Seeing What Others Are Not

"The greatest advances for the human race were made by people who saw what others did not see, who heard words that had not yet been spoken and who were ready to be the fool for the sake of their convictions.  They were people of faith." - Dr Wale 

Intense desire plus faith equals POSSIBILITIES!! Hebrews 11: 6 says that without faith, it is impossible to please Him.  Our faith must lead us a step higher, which is action.  Even better - we should align our thoughts compatible with our faith, and translate them into plans that will articulate what we envisioned in our minds into action.

You could be seeing what other ordinary men are not seeing, are you hearing what others have not heard. I dare you to intensely desire and believe and see the possibilities that result from your faith.

Destiny

"One ship drives east, and another drives west,
With the self-same winds that blow.
 'Tis the set of the sails, and not the gales
Which tells us the way they go.
"Like the waves of the sea are the ways of fate
As we voyage along thru life.
 'Tis the set of the soul which decides its goal
And not the calm or the strife."
 --Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

Without Excuse

In the beginning creation started with God.

Genesis 1:1,2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters

I like this point by William Law that the world that is was not created out of nothing. The creation that we behold is out of the invisible things of God; so that the outward condition and the frame of the invisible  nature, is a plain manifestation of that spiritual world from whence it descended.

Romans 1:20 is Apostle Paul's resounding support of this point. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse

Gratitude

These be the names of the mighty men whom David had:The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite:he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.... 2 Samuel 23:8

Dear Lord,
Remind me to to be always thankful and to remember men who have been a blessing or had an impact positively in my life.  Men who have seen me grow and helped me cease opportunities to be who I am today and I as I look to a transformation in the coming days that lie ahead! I will forever be grateful to you that have mentored, sharpened, positioned me for the next level of success.

That, Lord during my time of plenty and blessedness I will reciprocate their kindness.
 Amen!

King David accounts names of mighty men whom he had! I wonder how many in your sphere of influence would include you in their honor roll!  While I am thankful and indebted to  men/women of valor  in my life - I must aim to be one.  I will not be one by living on edge to be one but by practicing to do the basic principles of the faith in action that God has laid out in his Word.
 Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Walking is a consistent cause of action.  Keep walking and you never know when the time and chance will strike for you to be a man or woman to be reckoned with.
All these risked their lives for their king! All of these men had a price to pay to be who they became - they are in God's book - for us to learn the cost of being a man or woman of honor in God's word.

I am thankful to you! I desire to reciprocate someday!

12 Leaders On A Mission

Numbers 13:1-3 ¶ And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2* “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.” 3 So Moses sent them from the Wilderness of Paran according to the command of the LORD, all of them men who were heads of the children of Israel.

It was not like that game we used to play as children where would line up and the leader would select the two teams this way and that way/ one-two-one-two!  Moses by the instructions of the Lord chose leaders who were heads of the children of Israel.  A leader's influence has a big impact on what the outcome of the led will be! 

The Assignment is outlined in Numbers 13:17-20.  Same opportunity, same assignment - ten leaders saw it as impossible while two saw it as possible.  What you see is what you get! The 10 leaders said we are not able to go and possess the land Numbers 13:31. We are like grasshoppers.  Indeed their confession and surely they did not get to go to the promised land.

Caleb and Joshua had a different spirit within them. They saw opportunity - Their thoughts were with resolve! Numbers 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

My point! God is pleased and will always reward faith - Hebrews 11:6 Paul testifies in Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

If you see impossibilities those are what will follow! If you see possibilities the likewise will you see them! May God reward us as we faithfully trust him upon his word! 

Reasons NOT To Practice Church Discipline

We are in the environment of sin! We need deliverance from the allure of sin and the things that it brings.  We all need the grace and pardon of God. Our Our Lord Jesus is our High Priest and He is touched by the feeling of our failings. - Hebrews 4:14,15

Mark Dever in his book nine marks of a healthy church says:
(1) We certainly should not practice church discipline to be vindictive. - Romans 12:19
(2) Corrective church discipline is never to be done out of meanness of spirit but  only out of a love for the offending party and the members of the church individually, and ultimately out of our love for God Himself.
(3) Discipline should never be meant to take place out the mistaken notion that we have the final word from God on a person's eternal fate.

Instead, we are to practice church discipline because with humility and love, we want to see good come out of this ministry.

Therefore as the  leadership serves the members in the Church many Biblical exhortations are to come into play. Here are just a few:

1. A Spirit of meekness Galatians 6:1
2. Self-evaluation - You are no better except by the grace of God. That will lead you to tamper your exhortation correctly. - Galatians 6:1,3
3. Embrace the law of Christ which is Love.  Do to others as you would want them to do to you! Galatians 6:2
4. The right timing - 1 Corinthians 13:4; Proverbs 25:11
5. Speak the truth & impart grace - Ephesians 4:15,29

May God help us to lovingly restore and support.

Zaccheaus' Triumph

Our former Pastor recently shared a message on Zaccheaus  entitled the Tax Collectors Triumph.  He highlights some fundamental truths from this Sunday School story. Zaccheaus met with Jesus and he was no longer the same again.

Zaccheaus Tree

From this story we learn that:
1) God sees us (verse 5)
  God saw me even before my physical birth, yea even before my form in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:14-16
He sees us, even when our choices are for Him and when we are prone to wander!
Proverbs 5:21; Proverbs 15:3
2) God knows us (verse 5)
He knew Zaccheaus by name.  He called out his name and told him he would be a guest in his house. Psalms 139:1,2
God is touched by the feeling our our weaknesses.  Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 5:7
 Lastly and not least
3) God needs us!
He needs our testimony. This meeting that Jesus had with Zaccheaus brought tremendous change in this disliked wee little man! Our testimony speaks of what God has done in our lives.

Expectations & Deferred hopes

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

I had an assignment from a friend of mine.  When I got the assignment it was to take a some weeks. It was more time and work - took several months.  On the onset of the discussion my friend told me he would compensate me with some cash for the job.

When the job got done! I was all very glad that at last my lean purse would get some reprieve.  My friend registered appreciation and presented their compensation to me.  I laugh at my self now that the work done seemed more that the amount of compensation - on the other hand it is a heart issue!

King Solomon said so himself in this quoted Proverb. Desires when met have a wonderful feeling - a tree of life! Expectations when deferred deal with the heart - a heart that is dissatisfied can even result to sickness.   I would have done the assignment gladly for no pay or compensation - I do that all the time! It is grace!  Will I allow a fiscal settlement, offered by my friend to spoil all the good in the assignment?  That I have answered in my heart. Will you? Deal with it and move on!! 

Another proverb says that, Wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.

Psalms 71:5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things!

Robert Collier in one of his writings  says, 
"The power to be what you want to be, to get what you desire, to accomplish whatever you are striving for, abides within you...."

So how do I get to be what I want to be? I must realize first that I possess that power.  I must also get acquainted with that power.  Accomplishing whatever I have dreamed to be is an exciting experience.  I realize that, intense desire is a prerequisite and the catalyst is faith - Hebrews 11:1,2.  God says that with Him nothing is impossible! Luke 1:37.

The best type of accomplishment, being what I want to be then, is best within the confines of God's will! God's will.  His plan for my life or yours could be different!

Collier further says, "You can be whatever you make up your mind to be."  The Apostle Paul says it ever better in Philippians 4:13  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Sight Determinations

Our sight is determined by many factors. For most part man sees better when the time-span presented is shorter.  When the waiting time is longer it looses enthusiasm or makes little sense.

James 5:7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

A farmer waits patiently after sowing for the time of reaping.   For corn time ranges from 3 to 9 months in our country.  That wait time makes sense to many a farmer.
Planting a tree is different to planting corn.  When we planted trees with our daughter July 2011 the seedlings looked so tiny.  The cost of the seedlings was minimal.  Now the trees have grown taller than all of us. Now pruning them is sweat and good leisure-time activity. The air is cleaner around here!
Lastly, political tenure in our country if five years.  Men and women vie for elective positions at these important times in our country. Five years makes a lot of sense to our forks.


All that to say that, for each of us when time is presented to us for consideration in a venture or business. The longer the period involved the more difficult it is to actualize - though in long haul is the most gain.  No wonder we have to be reminded in our media that it is our duty to plant trees and care for our forests.  Five years make sense to some while to some only a season of 3 to 9 months make sense.

In fiscal matters, many prefer the instant gratification of merry go rounds and instant cash.  The saving culture - delaying instant gratification is a habit many of us should learn. Could there be something better for five years, ten years, more?

Habakkuk 2:3* For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 

The New Covenant...

Hebrews 9:16-17 

 16* For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
 
A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties about things that are in their own power, or may be so, and this either with or without a mediator; this agreement takes effect at such time and in such manner as therein declared. A testament is a voluntary act and deed of a single person, duly executed and witnessed, bestowing legacies on such legatees as are described and characterized by the testator, and which can only take effect upon his death. 

Christ's covenant qualifies a sinner who was destined for eternal damnation.  A sinner who would have been lost without hope of eternity with Christ, at the point of faith is translated from death to life - John 5:24.  The old covenant was based on the law. The law made every man guilty because no one could be justified by the deeds of the law - Romans 8:28. 

When Christ came, He authored the new covenant. The new covenant is not based on ordinances, Priests, or the High Priest entering the holy of hollies.  Hebrews 9:11 says that Christ is our High Priest of good things to come.

The death of Christ on the cross sealed our position. The new covenant now seals me qualified by faith to partake eternity with Christ in heaven.  It qualified me all rights and privileges of a child of God, adopted into His family by grace through faith! What an amazing position a believer has in Christ!!!

Preliquisite For A Filled Mouth!

The Psalmist in Psalm 81:9,10 highlights the first and second commandments in Exodus 20:1-5.  When God took Israel out of Egypt He was the sole provider of everything that they needed. Just like the young ones of a bird in a nest have no otherwise but to wait for their mother-bird to fetch food and feed them.  All they have to do when they hear their mother is to "open their mouth wide" and they have their full!

God, today is calling you to obey his command! Have no other source but Him.  Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"  Are you faithful to obey in His command? Then open your mouth and wait for His providence!

Developing Communication

We have in the staff devotions been discussing excerpts from the book Bring Up Your Child by Counselor Jane Kaibiria - MA Counselling Psychology.  Our key verses have been from Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
and Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

She says,

"Every day we receive thousands of messages.  They are continous and sometimes burdensome."
We receive messages through media like newspapers, televisions, radio, watching behavior and body language, etc. Let me add that in today's world sms, whatapp, twitter, and internet based information communication technology are additional mediums.  In addition to being receivers we also transmit and receive messages, through interpersonal messages such as:

• Greetings, smiles, handshakes
• Exchange of words in a business transaction
• Style of dress, hair style
• A frown or yawn

As servants working with people we need grace in our speech (verbal or non verbal) such that we have discretion to answer every man.  Our communication proceeding out of our mouth - God help us to  be such that build's up and not tearing down.  I believe that is what the Apostle Paul is calling for the use of edifying.  Edification imparts grace to the hearers.