Dealing with our "Enemy"

When it comes to dealing with those who stand in opposition to our position, (they are sometimes called our Enemy) how are we to react to them? Romans chapter 12 gives great wisdom & insight as to how we are to handle this. It really doesn't even need to be an "enemy", it could be someone you work with or even someone you thought you knew who would ridicule you because you may look a little different, you may think a little differently than they do or for many of other reasons not listed!

Let's look at scripture to get God's direction in this matter.  

Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved,never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

"Kenny, are you telling me that I must do good to those who would want to hurt me or mistreat me"? I'm not telling you this, the Bible is! This can be one of the hardest things ever to do but if we are to follow the example of Christ, we must learn to try & react as Jesus Himself would react! All Jesus did while here on the earth was love God first & then other people more than Himself no matter what they did to Him & He REALLY does expect the same from us.

Some one who reads this may be dealing with unforgiveness to a point you no longer have any peace or joy about anything you do. God did not create you to exist this way! You cannot function in a normal way because you were made to forgive! God forgives us, we must forgive them. In fact, you cannot be forgiven unless you are willing to forgive. Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. We must not hate our enemy or simply ignore the fact that they exist!! We must forgive and even go beyond this & if need be, give'em a drink or bite to eat in the name of Jesus! Church, we must overcome evil with good because Jesus died for them too! 

Love you guys,

Pastor Kenny

A "mission" accomplished to our Neighbors

This past saturday was a great success! Bless Lavaca Day 2011 took place all around Lavaca & many people were able to experience what the love of Christ looks like first hand! 

Jesus was asked a question in Matthew 22:36 "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"  Then in verses 37-40 Jesus said “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

You see church, we really show how much we love God by how much we demonstrate love to our neighbors and also the nations. And who is our neighbor? They are all around us, at any given time & at any given place, your neighbor is right next to you!! Be ready to show the love of God!

FBCL, you were amazing this past saturday. I watched as many of you reached out with the love of God to the people of Lavaca and it was wonderful to see the smiles of those you touched in the name of Jesus Christ!!

Please pray for your staff as we pray for you!

In Christ,

Kenny

Bless Lavaca Day is here !!!

This coming saturday is Bless Lavaca Day!! I want to ask everyone to come out this wednesday evening to canvass the area with handouts that have a personal invite to all Lavaca residents. This is a great time to let people know that you care about them by personally inviting them to come and enjoy a day of fun! 

We will start this saturday morning (May 14th) at 10 am through 12 noon with discounted gas at EZ-Mart with .25 cents off of each gallon sold. We will be handing out $10.00 grocery vouchers at CV's, there will be a team picking up trash off of the streets of lavaca which includes hwy 96, hwy 255 and most all city streets. The Blessing Boutique will be giving free manicures, pedicures and haircuts along with the clothing shop open as well for those needing help with clothing and the clowns will be in full force just kinda "clownin' around". We have a group of men that will be mowing and cleaning up almost 50 yards in the area. Our youth led by adult supervision will be giving free car washes at our locally owned car wash. 

At noon WE EAT!! We will have hot dogs & chips along with RIBS!! (first come first serve on the ribs!). There will be cotton candy, popcorn, sno cones and CUP CAKES!! There will several inflatable jump arounds set up along with cake walks for kids. At 1:30 we will give away gift cards from all area merchants & restaurants along with a grand prize, a 32 inch Samsung flat screen television! 

I hope to see you this wednesday afternoon at 6pm to go out and invite and then at 10 am on saturday morning to go out and share the love of Jesus Christ with Lavaca!

God Bless,

Kenny

Haiti Orphanage now serving breakfast @ 7am every morning

Praise God for His amazing grace! There has been many hours of praying & planning along with four trips so far to Leogane Haiti with twenty different people and God's children are now being served each and every day starting at 7 am before they start their day! I have learned more about God's timing and His purpose than ever before. If you will, take the time to do a search and see how many times God's orphans & widows are mentioned in His Word. He is very serious about taking care of them and He has opened doors like I have never seen before for this to happen. I can't wait to see what he does next.

Love you guys,

In Christ,

Pastor Kenny

Haiti mission trip

I would like to ask all who read this to start praying for our team going to the devastated region of Haiti on Oct. 15th. We have a team of eight people going to minister to the people of Haiti. We will minister to children in the orphanage along with disciple-making & evangelism in the local churches and possibly even doing some construction work as materials are beginning to come in. 

If you would like to be a part of this mission work but can not go you can still help support someone who is able to take the time off to go. Please see me or contact the church office if you would like to help sponsor this trip.

In Christ,

Kenny