"None Of these Things Move Me"

"None Of These Things Move Me"

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministy which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)  The Apostle Paul spoke some of the most profound words ever spoken.  He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned  ...  and he very calmly and steadfastly says something that in this day and time we should hang as a motto over our doors: "None Of These Things Move Me."

Paul, being stoned.

Have we suffered unto death for the cause of Christ; have we been stoned?  We, in this age, have our floods, fires, bankruptcies, divorces, threats of terrorism, and these are severe in our lives, and these things are very devastating.  They almost seem to us like being stoned, because the emotional and sometimes physical results are traumatic, but Paul was our example of the words Jesus left for His Christians: "Endure to the end," and "Occupy until I come."  

It's interesting, that word "occupy."  Some definitions are: "to hold a position or rank," and "to invade or take control..."  That sort of sounds like the song, "I'm goin' to the enemy's camp to take back what he took from me."  The enemy is "satan," the devil, the defeated one, the one that only "1" angel will throw into the lake of fire, the one who torments the Christians day and night  ... that "loser" one.  The Lord knew that we would have a battle to the very end, so are we "occupying?"

Paul, being persecuted.

Sometimes, we need to get a little righteous indignation!  We need to kick the devil in the teeth and dance in demon blood!  You say, "What? That sounds a little militant, to me."  Uh Huh!  The closer we get in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the more the fight is on!  You don't know there is a devil until you become a Christian, because before that, he already has you.  After that, it's the war of your life to get you back!

Paul, in prison.

Oh, that Paul.  They just couldn't stop him!  Even in prison, he was leaving a legacy of strength and power under pressure, by writing most of the New Testament.  The Bible is resplendent with examples of people who didn't give up  ...  Job's trial lasted nine months; he lost all of his children, all of his servants, all of his livelihood, all of his wealth, and finally his health, when he was covered with flesh eating boils.  Then, when he reached this total stage of destruction, his wife said, "Curse God, and die!"  Job told her she was a foolish woman.  Now, Job did curse the day he was born, when all of his so-called friends came around and told him he was in this dilemma because of sin.  But, Job knew different; he was a righteous man, and God believed that he was, indeed,  a righteous man ... And, when Job reached the point of wanting to die, the Lord had enough!  He said, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?"  In other words, son, you didn't create yourself and you can't end yourself; life and death are in "MY" hands!  In the end, Job was blessed with more than when he started, in wealth, in children, in assets; the blessings of Almighty God overtook him!

Paul's conversion.

Paul started out as "Saul," and he did nothing but threaten and slaughter the disciples of the Lord.  So, while he was on the road to Damascus, a bright light from heaven encompassed him and knocked him to the ground.  Then, a voice from heaven said, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" 

The people who come against anyone who belongs to Jesus Christ are not persecuting those people, they are persecuting the Lord Jesus Christ!  Later, Paul was healed somewhat of his blindness, at least enough to write "large" letters.  The bottom line is,"Don't be moved!"  The battle is the Lord's; send the Holy Ghost to answer the door  ...  that is, if you are filled with the Holy Ghost  ...

You say, "Well, that's all fine for Paul, but you don't know what I'm going through!"  I hear you, but we don't know what all we might have to face before the Lord comes again.  Strength starts in the mind!  The Holy Ghost is our power; the Word of God is our stamina; the unity of the body of Christ is our fort; the example of just men made perfect in the Bible is our "endurance," and the Lord God, Himself, is our strong tower! Don't be moved!

Saints of Almighty God, it's time to rise up in the Spirit of the One who called us, who anointed us, who chose us, and who is now "sending" us out as sheep among wolves.  We will not limp through the pearly gates when this is all over; we will "charge" through with the same thing that kept Paul, the same thing that gave Paul the strength to endure, the same thing that will gather in the harvest, the same thing that people all around us are looking for  ...  the Holy Ghost and fire!  It is the power that will see us through and cause us to "Occupy!"

Paul, in chains.

NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME!

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

"Bottled Tears"

"Bottled Tears"

"Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?"  (Psalm 56:8) 

Our tears are bottled up in heaven, along with our prayers.  "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints."  (Revelation 5:8) 

There will come a day when we will cry no more, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4)  This the blessed hope of the Christian, the promise for the saved in Jesus Christ, the precious day of no more wet cheeks, tears on dark pillows, or gut-wrenching sobs  ... no more pain!  Hallelujah! 

"Before they call I will answer;

while they are still speaking I will hear." 

(Isaiah 65:24)



There are untold benefits to becoming a Christian, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, repenting of our sins and being baptized in His name  ... But, we don't serve Him for what He can give us or do for us; however, once we are saved, we notice something.  We are loved like we have never been loved before; we have a God who is near to us, cares for us, holds us, and loves us, completely and utterly!  He is not a golden statue or some far off being; He is real and when He lives in our hearts, we feel Him, we hear Him, and He hears us  ... even before we call!

"Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my

cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping.

For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger,

as all my fathers were."

(Psalm 39:12)

You say, "I don't know the Lord Jesus Christ; will He hear me and help me?"  You can know Him now!  He will hear you and help you.  Come to Him in repentance of your sins, and give Him your life.  It will be the most important thing you have ever done.  No soul will He turn away; He is the Father of us all.  We can never call on Him too much!  He will never leave you, nor forsake you.  All the promises in the Bible are for you and me, and all who call upon His name  ...  Jesus!

For all those weeping all over the world from disasters and lost loved ones; we hold you in our prayers; we weep when you weep.  The Lord is close, lean into His loving arms, and let Him comfort you, as only He can do.  

Bastrop fires near Austin, Texas

Bastrop, and all of central Texas, we're praying for you, and we weep with you.  The Lord hears your cry and He holds you in His arms of love today.  Homes can be rebuilt; your life is precious and you will make it.  For all those who lost loved ones, we love you and our prayers surround you; your tears are caught in the loving hands of Jesus; rest now in His love. 

On this anniversary of 9-11; we mourn with all of you who mourn.  We love you, and we feel as though we lost "your" loved one, because that is the heart of a Christian, and that is the heart of our Nation.  We are a Nation under God!  Our Nation rises again, and you rise again, because Jesus Christ our Lord lifts you up! 

                                

                                  "We Remember"

Our tears are in thy Bottle!

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

"That Men May Know"

"That Men May Know"

"That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."  (Psalm 83:18)  The earth is a swirling, roaring, pounding, battling, rumbling, amalgam of terrifying confusion and chaos.  Why is all of this happening?  "That Men May Know."

"Declare what is to be, present it - let them

take counsel together.  Who foretold this long

ago, who declared it from the distant past?

Was it not I, the LORD?  And there is no God

apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior;

there is none but me."

(Isaiah 45:21)

To whom do we go when the world is falling apart?  Whom do we call when it seems the heavens are falling, the ground is erupting, the seas are churning, and the earth is burning, flooding and shaking?  There is only ONE, and His name is Jesus Christ our Lord!  The universe itself knows He's coming; the earth is groaning for His appearing; the animals are restless; the fish of the seas are losing their innate compass direction; the birds of the air sense the "atmospheric" change approaching; all is preparing  ...  except those most important  ... men, women, and children  ...  those for whom the God of eternity gave His life, His blood and His body.  It's a global "Awakening" that Almighty God is coming soon  ...  and worldwide revival is about to explode.  Why?  There is no getting around it; the Prophets foretold it; the Bible predicted it; the Lord Jesus Christ created and pronounced it; and it's for the best reason of all  ...  That Men May Know!

"For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the 

earth; you are exalted far above all gods."  

(Psalm 97:9)

That all men may know  ...  what?  That Jesus Christ is Lord and King; He is the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace; and the universe is His domain; the earth is His and the fullness thereof; He rides on the wings of the wind; and His power can none tame; His thunder demands attention; His rainbow is the salve of terror; His light kills the darkness; and His Glory consumes the profundities of men!  He IS  ... that men may know!

"Sing to GOD, sing praise to His name, extol Him who

rides on the clouds - His name is the LORD - and

rejoice before Him."

(Psalm 68:4)

All need to know; All; every living soul, needs to know the ONE who holds their lives in His hands.  He IS Love personified, Joy inexplicable, the Alleluia Always, Peace percipience, humility in the vortex of Greatness, the life giver and the life saver, the lover and the judge; a lamb and a lion ... He IS, and always will be, Jesus Christ our Lord!

"For you are great and do marvelous

deeds; you alone are God."

(Psalm 86:10)

Before long, the whole world will be looking up  .. from whence cometh our help!  The Lord is a very present help in times of trouble.  There is no one alive who can help this traumatized world, other than the Lord Jesus Christ!  He is our source of comfort; He is our solace in the night; He is the captain of our ship; and He will lead us home!

In this time of uncertainty, we can sing that comforting song, "I'm under the Rock that is higher than I; O Jesus, hide me; Jesus hide me under the Rock!  For thou hast been a shelter from my enemy; hide me under the rock that is higher than I."  For Him to hide us; we must know Him personally  ...  Lord, forgive me of all of my sins; fill me with Your Spirit; I will be baptized in Your name, and I will be a witness for You all the days of my life.  Amen and Amen!

You've got to know where you're going, and that this life in earth is not all there is!  Why did Jesus Christ come in the first place?  Why did He die and rise again?  Why is He coming back, and what is the purpose of the Holy Bible?  Why must I be filled with His Spirit and baptized in His name?  The answer is "Heaven!"  To get there, Jesus Christ made it easy ... He IS the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)  ...  "That Men May Know"  ...  Men may know what?  ... WHO to follow!

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

"Everybody Needs A Carpenter"

"Everybody Needs A Carpenter"

"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary ...?" (Mark 6:3)  The son of Mary is a carpenter; He is a prophet; He is a teacher; He is a fisherman; He is the amazing Omnipotent Creator; He is Alpha and Omega; He is the Savior; He is the Lord Jesus Christ  ...  He IS!  He knows how to build things; it is no wonder the tabernacle was so exact in every measurement detail!  And, He is still in the business of building  ...  this time it's skyscrapers, otherwise called vessels of honor, and no matter what anyone says, "Everybody Needs A Carpenter!"

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?

"A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house."  And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them.  (Mark 6:4-5)  "And he marvelled because of their unbelief."  The Lord Jesus Christ still marvels at unbelief!  After thousands of years, there is still unbelief that the "carpenter" was God, that the carpenter could raise the dead, that the carpenter healed all diseases, that the carpenter "knew their very minds and thoughts!"  Oh, Dear Lord, Jesus, now in 2011, we need THE One "carpenter," who can rebuild lives, rebuild nations, rebuild hearts, rebuild relationships, and rebuild LOVE for our fellow man!

I Believe!

"Jesus saith unto them, did ye never read in the scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes."  Barnes' Notes says it so beautifully this way, "The stone - the figure is taken from building a house.  The principal stone for size and beauty is that commonly laid as the cornerstone.  Which the builders rejected - On account of its want of beauty or size, it was laid aside, or deemed unfit to be a cornerstone.  This represents the Lord Jesus, proposed to the Jews as the foundation or conerstone on which to build the church, but rejected by them ..."

"He was constituted the foundation on which the salvation of

mankind rests, and the cornerstone which unites Jews and

Gentiles, beautifies, strengthens, and completes the whole

building, as the head stone, or uppermost stone in the corner

does the whole ediface."  (Clarke's Commentary)

Jesus Christ the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the cornerstone of our faith, the Joy of our souls, the Spirit for our dilemmas, the presence for our darkness, the answer for our existence  ... Jesus, the carpenter the whole world needs!

"A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that

makes them fall."  They stumble because they disobey

the message - which is also what they were destined for.

(I Peter 2:8)

What is the message?  It is the Gospel; the virgin birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We shouldn't "stumble" through life, when we can have peace, Joy, love, mercy, forgiveness, and the everlasting arms of the Lord Jesus Christ to carry us through this world of terror. 

"What should we do?"

The "carpenter" is showing up these days, and He's coming with all His tools to "rebuild" us, so that we can be born again.  It is a simple thing; just obey His Word, so that we do not stumble.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of creation; He formed dust into humans, and He's reforming, rebuilding, molding and shaping us every day to be like Him, the cornerstones of society, the light of the world, the foundation for unsure "structures" the world over.

Thomas doubted.

Thomas wouldn't believe until he touched Jesus' side, where the sword was plunged, and water and blood flowed out.  You can "know" that Jesus Christ is real  ... if you too, are a doubting Thomas!  When we repent of our sins, and we are baptized in His name; we seek His Spirit and we are filled with the Holy Ghost and speak with tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, we KNOW He lives!  We feel Him in our hearts; we feel Him in our souls; we feel Him in our spirits; we feel Him in our hands and we feel Him in our feet  ...  we KNOW He lives!  

Jesus Christ our Lord, the God who became flesh and dwelt among us; the child who grew and at the age of 12, astounded the learned with his teaching in the Temple; the son of Mary who worked as a carpenter with his earthly father, Joseph; the GOD who became man and returned to His throne as GOD, who rules and reigns and will come again  ... to receive us unto Himself, that where He is, we may be also!  

It's the truth, and all I can say is: "Everybody Needs A Carpenter!"

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

"Movin' Up .. Steppin' Out"

"Movin' Up .. Steppin' Out"

"Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance ..."  Paul went on to explain to the Ephesians that they should believe on Him who came after John, that is, on Christ Jesus.  "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied."  (Acts 19:4-6)  Growth in the Lord is becoming an issue for the Church, and it's a wonderful issue!  We must "become" and we must "go forth!"  It's called: "Movin' Up .. Steppin' Out!"  

"Have ye received the Holy Ghost

since ye believed?"

(Acts 19:2)

The "Movin' up" part is getting "ALL" that the Lord Jesus Christ has for us.  We can have gifts of the Spirit, and the seven Spirits that are before the throne (Isaiah 11:2): Counsel, Might, Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, the fear of the Lord, and the Spirit of the Lord; but all of this comes from receiving the Holy Ghost, as the initial evidence (Acts 2:38).  When we receive the Holy Ghost and speak with tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance, we can then seek the gifts of the Spirit in I Corinthians 12.  We will "move up" to becoming effectual ministers of God's Word in the earth today.   

How then were we baptized?  We must be very sure that we were baptized in the "Name" of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The people in Ephesians (Acts 19) were "rebaptized," because they realized they were baptized incorrectly.  This happened in the Bible, and it happens today!  It is not the water or the preacher that washes away our sins; it is what is said over us  ...  the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ has all power to wash away sins, and "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  (Colossians 3:17) 

The most important act of salvation, "baptism," must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  No one in the Bible was ever baptized any other way than in "the name of Jesus Christ."  Please read Acts 2:38, Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 19.  The Church began in the Book of Acts; that is where we go to find out how to be saved.  And, it's so wonderful to be filled with the Holy Ghost and then to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!  It will be the JOY of your entire life!  The trees will be greener, the sky bluer, the flowers prettier, the air fresher; it is astonishing and awesome that when we take care of the "inlook;" the "outlook" becomes so very beautiful!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit

comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in

Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and

to the ends of the earth."

(Acts 1:8)

Now comes the "Steppin' out" part!  We get "saved up" to "step out!"  Your home can be a Church; your coffee table can be an altar; You can be a minister for the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Wherever you are, in Norway, Australia, Latvia, India, Germany, Italy, or an island out in the ocean  ... it can be a chapel for the work of the Lord!  "The Lord is nigh unto those of a broken heart and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."  The broken hearts and contrite spirits are all around us  ...

Lord, Jesus; I offer You my hands, my feet, my voice, my mind, my God-given abilities for the salvation of Your creation.  Please anoint all that I give, all that I am, all that I do, and bring many multitudes into Your kingdom.  In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.  

                                                     

                                                              

"And Jesus, when he came out, saw much

people and was moved with compassion

toward them, because they were as sheep not

having a shepherd; and he began to teach

them many things."

(Mark 6:34)

Sheep, without a Shepherd  ...  a statement that keeps the Lord God of the universe awake and without rest!  He is totally dependent upon "us" to reach the world with the Gospel.  We can do it; we can bring hope to the suffering we see on every side.  Every nation has trouble these days; there is a rumbling of planet earth, from coast to coast, nation to nation, because the Lord God Almighty is coming back, and He is not willing that "any" be lost or perish! 

It's time to exercise our faith, move into the deep, become our destiny, rise to the occasion, and "shine" like the lights we are!  We're just doing what we were created to do: "Movin' Up  .. Steppin' Out!" 

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

   

"He That Shall Endure!"

"He that Shall Endure"

But he that shall endure unto the end,

the same shall be saved

We are in a race, a battle for our souls,

a daily victory to be made

The war can be fierce, and a drain

on our spirit

But, the Lord provides peace, that we

never have to fear it

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power

of His might

This is not your battle, it is the Almighty

God's fight

We must make sure we hit the target, and stay

focused on the goal

To obey His Word and win the lost, so His

face we shall behold

It's a race against elements, threatening

our very steps

But the Lord goes before us, making sure

we're safe and kept

Climb your mountains, Saints, and keep

your faith in tact

For the Lord is coming back for you,

and that, is a fact

When the road seems too hot, and you're tempted by

the trail from which you came

Remember the blood of Jesus, His Spirit, and you're

baptized in His name

And you'll know you can make it, and

you'll see your Lord for sure

Because the one who shall be saved, is

"He That Shall Endure!" 

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

"He Hath Known My Name"

"He Hath Known My Name"

"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name."  (Psalm 91:14)  There's only One name we need to know in times of trouble  ...  Jesus!  It's easy to say for all languages; it's The name for SOS; when we need mercy, He comes quickly; He is a very present help in times of trouble; He IS our rescuer, our Savior, our Lord and we need only whisper "Jesus," and He is lifting us in His arms and carrying us through the storm.  Whom does He do this for?  Anyone, for whom He can say: "He Hath Known My Name!"

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

"Er hath bekannt mein Name"

The name of Jesus Christ is a mighty strong tower, even for a stately castle in beautiful Germany.  Jesus Christ our Lord was God in the flesh; He came to earth, was beaten and nailed to a cross; He died a tormenting death and rose again the third day!  He is alive forevermore for You, Germany; He loves You.  He loves the whole world and He wants every soul alive to know His Name!

People gathering at a Church in Bergen, Norway

"Han hath kjent mitt navn"

Norway, Jesus loves you!  There are no walls, dividing lines or boundaries with Jesus Christ; He holds the Nations in the palm of His hand.  Every Nation, kindred, and tongue are welcome in His sight.  He loves all people with the same extravagant love, and He knows all languages! 

Turin, Italy

"Egli ha conosciuto il mio nome"

Italy, we're coming!  The Lord Jesus Christ has a date with you, and He says, "Come and Dine!"  He will give you the bread of life, and out of your bellies shall flow rivers of living water!  It's not just "bread and water;" it is the bread of eternal life and water that you will never thirst again!  Lodate il Signore!

National Festival Parade, Riga, Latvia

"Vins ir zinams mans vards"

The name of the Lord shall be praised!  "My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun.  In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD Almighty." (Malachi 1:11) Latvia, you are beautiful to the Lord.  He dances with you in Spirit in your festivals; The name of Jesus hovers over you to give you strength.  Jesus! ...  just the mention of His name  ...  He longs for you and reaches for you!

                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                  French - "ll connait mon nom"  Haitian Creole - "Li fe li te ye non wen"

                                 Lithuanian  - "On zinoma mano varda"   Polish - "On Znany moje imie"

                            Swahili - "Yeye awezaye kuifahamu jina langu"  Welsh  - "Efe a elwir fy enw"

                                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                               

The Lord Jesus Christ speaks LOVE in every language.  He IS the Savior of the world, the lover of our souls, the instigator of our triumphs, the lifter of our heads, the strength of our days, and the Spirit eternal!  His love was signed in blood and nailed to an old rugged cross.  His tears are for the world!  To know Him is to love him and worship Him in Spirit and in truth  ...  He longs to say of every human, in the most intimate of meaning and salvation for all of eternity: "He Hath Known My Name!" 

                                                

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)