“He (Jesus) went to His own people, and His own people didn’t accept Him. However, He gave the right to become God’s children to EVERYONE WHO BELIEVED IN HIM.”  John 1:11-12 (GW)

I often hear people who want to build a case about, “How hard it is to become a Christian.” Well, according to the verses we just read, John 1:11-12, that isn’t possible. Way back in 1979, when I gave my life (I used my ‘right’ to become God’s child) to the Lord, it wasn’t hard at all. My prayer was “Jesus, I want You!” That’s all! Do you know who had the hard part? Margie (girlfriend), Katia Donowho Banfield and Tony Banfield Jr.. They are the ones who prayed for me and brought me to church. 

It wasn’t the long prayer that got me into God’s family, and it wasn’t anything that I did. All that God wanted from me was to BELIEVE. Believe in God and believe His love for us is so big that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to pay for our sins. How could anyone turn down an offer like that? 

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to believe. 

In Him, Pastor Kevin Kinchen

Jesus was teaching a parable in Luke chapter 15. It says, “Suppose a man has 100 sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the 99 sheep grazing in the pasture and look for the lost sheep until he finds it?” When he finds it, he’s happy. He puts that sheep on his shoulders and goes home.

We have all lost something that we treasure, something valuable to us. This shepherd lost one of his “valuable“ sheep. Some might say, “It’s only one out of a hundred, so what’s the big deal?” It was valuable to HIM! It was a living thing that he probably raised since the day it was born. Who knows how long he searched for the lost sheep, but we know he didn’t quit until he found it… then he was happy.

The parable ends with Jesus revealing the meaning of the parable… “I can guarantee that there will be more happiness (joyfulness) in heaven over ONE PERSON who turns to God, and changes the way he thinks and acts, than over the 99 people who already have turned to God and have His approval.” (Luke 15:4-7 GW)

How can we make heaven happy? We can start by caring about people who have not yet turned to God. We don’t have to be a preacher and we don’t have to stuff a Bible down their throats. Just start with one. It’s not about the numbers, it’s about results. Stay with them until they change the way they think and act. Become an example that reflects Jesus 24/7. Let the love of Jesus work through you… And, don’t ever give up. Remember, you are… Making Heaven Happy!

In Him, Pastor Kevin Kinchen 

THE WILL OF GOD FOR ME (and YOU)

(Excerpt from, The Secret Place…Revealed) 

After the heroic rescue by these men, I found myself checked into a hotel, weak and famished. There was a large grocery store across the street so I slowly made my way over there. As I walked into the front door of that store, I ran face to face into a bookrack. At about eye level a book stared at me as if it were alive, beckoning me to buy it. The title of the book was, Discovering God’s Will In Your Life by Lloyd John Ogilvie. This was God manifested in “book form” for sure. I needed whatever this book was going to tell me. I got the book and some groceries and hurried back to the hotel.

I poured both the water and the book into my thirsty soul. I read and read and read. I also cried and cried and cried. 

Suddenly, it all came to me. I knew where I had missed it. Lloyd Ogilvie said several things that were life-changing….

“The restless search for the will of God is a sure sign that you are out of it!”

“The will of God is not a mysterious set of sealed orders we search for and receive if we happen to hit on the right formula. Rather, the will of God is a relationship with Him in which He discloses His purpose, power, and plan for our lives—and in that order…. The Lord’ s will for me was to abide, listen, wait—to want Him more than His guidance…. Out of love for me, He withheld temporarily what I wanted in order to give me what I needed.”

My entire ministry, desires, dreams, and life were all changed the moment I read those words. I can only pray the same thing is happening in you.

Had I been searching for something I was missing? Well, not really. I think it would be more accurate to say, “Something I was missing was searching for me.” You see, I passionately loved God, and still do. But I am also a task oriented person. I would get all excited in my relationship with the Lord, but when He would give me a project to do, I would pull my focus off Him and direct it to the project. I would give 100 percent to the project and totally forget about keeping the relationship intact. Sounds crazy, right? How could I forget God while doing something FOR God?

Nevertheless, if I get so caught up in the “doing” but forget her in the process, what good is it? It ends up being, “I will conquer this task to show you I can” instead of, “I really want to do this for You, because You are the love of my life.” See the difference? 

For months and months I had been asking God, “What do you want me to do?” I never realized His biggest desire was for me to know Him. I realized my priorities were totally out of whack. When we get the revelation of “knowing” versus “doing,” our lives will never be the same. That’s what happened to me in that hotel room. 

In Him, Pastor Kevin Kinchen

I was reading in Proverbs 3 the other day when I came across a Scripture that will be monumental when it comes to my HEALTHY BODY. I was reading from the Amplified Version of the Bible, which means it gives more details on key words. It says in Pro. 3:7, “Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. 3:8) It shall be HEALTH TO YOUR NERVES and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.”   

Wow, that means the beginning of the END of ALS! It’s saying in verse 7, Don’t be a know-it-all. God is the only One that knows-it-all and we should seek Him first. Then it tells us to, “… reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.” When it says to, “reverently fear” God, it’s not telling us to BE afraid of Him. It means – He is serious about His children, that’s us. When He says, yes, He means, yes. And then God says, “turn [entirely] away from evil.” That means ENTIRELY away from evil. Don’t worry, Jesus will help you. 

So, how does this benefit someone with ALS? The next verse, Pro. 3:8 says, ”It shall be HEALTH TO YOUR NERVES and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.” That’s how. ALS is a horrible disease that attacks the NERVE cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. Well, according to those verses, the ones who apply what God is saying will be blessed with HEALTH TO MY NERVES! Am I earning my way? No. I’m just obeying. The healthy nerves are a byproduct that shine for the glory of God. 

Remember, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING comes from within the realm of the spirit. It might be salvation, deliverance, peace, joy, comfort, finances, healing, wisdom, or restoration… they all begin through His Word or an Intimate Relationship with God. 

In Him, Pastor Kevin Kinchen