Let this mind be in you...

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" - Philippians 2:5

The mind of Christ seeks to understand the point of the view of a other.  It is not cast on stone.  I am a Kenyan,  I have an African mindset - That was no choice of mine and so I have no apologies to make!  I come from a country that was was a colony of Britain - that is history.  In 1963 our country got independence from our colonizers.  Year 2013 we celebrated our 50 years Jubilee.  How that we are deemed to be free from colonial rule but in many fronts remain servants to a mindset that is not pleasing at all!  Our mind has to set with a higher mind.  What was the mind of Christ?

Firstly, the mind of Christ deals with possibilities. 
"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26
We are able to see through difficulties as breakthroughs.  Challenges as stepping stones. My mindset has to be that of a solutions provider.  Though we have political freedom and religious freedoms.  We are in bondage in many areas of our lives; thus I consciously must seek that mind that brings out possibilities for freedom!  Someone may say it is impossible but God says all things are possible. Paul tells us "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

Secondly, the mind of Christ grows in love from immaturity to maturity!
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" 1 Cor 13:11,12
 There is nothing wrong with a child behaving like a child BUT there is everything wrong when a grown-up man or woman behaves in a childish manner!  We grow from immature to mature, from darkness to light, from children to adults, from ignorance to enlightenment.  It is awkward to retrogress from maturity back into foolishness!  A believers mind that is set on growth does so tampered with love and humility.  Growing old is not an option but growing up is a choice - you and I must make a conscious choice to put away childish things and/or behavior! 

Lastly but not least.
The mind of Christ's yields in obedience for God's sake and not man!
"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" Philippians 2:6-8
Christ has all power of the God-head.  Without him nothing that is would be in existence!  
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3
Yet with all that power and all it's representation, made himself of no reputation, took the form of a servant and was obedient!

Such a mind is rare! Howbeit God is telling us it is possible to have it - Philippians 2:5!

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!