For all of us control freaks there’s two words that can really mess up our world that we love to micro-manage. Uncertain Times!

I write this as I’m sitting in a hospital room next to my aging father not knowing what tomorrow holds for him.

Uncertain times are all around us. In our families, in our country and in our world! As you read this some of you are in the valley of decision, and your home is divided because everything in your future seems so uncertain.

Please allow me to share a few things with you that will help you in uncertain times. If you focus on these things your circumstances might not change overnight, but you can have peace instead of confusion and faith where there’s been fear.

Remember the promises of God! You are the “sheep of his pasture”, and my friend God will care and provide for you! He will never leave you or forsake you! That’s a promise!
Don’t abandon the principles of God. “Seek first the Kingdom of God….”

(Matthew 6:33) God will be nothing but first in your life. It’s an unchanging principle of God. But when He’s first there’s a promise of provision.

Trust the process. Philippians 1:6 tells us that what God started in you he will finish. God is not a quitter. So don’t quit on God, he is working, even when you don’t see it or feel it.
Re-visit the purpose of God for your life. If you don’t know your purpose, ask God. In uncertain times He still has a purpose for your life. And remember, according to Romans 8:28 God is working all things for your good. He’s just that good!

Stay connected to the people around you. Your Heavenly Father is relational, and he’s connected you with others for a purpose! Refuse the temptation to isolate yourself!
Enjoy God’s presence. Our Savior Jesus Christ has made it possible for you and me to boldly enter God’s presence in a time of need and receive His grace and mercy.

What’s so beautiful about this is that our Creator has never had an uncertain day! He knows the events of your life, today and tomorrow. When you spend time with Him the God of peace gives you peace that passes all understanding.

With God’s peace you can walk though uncertain times with confidence and courage!
PK

There is a battle in your mind for your mind! Look closely at these statistics. The average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts a day. Yes you read that right but let me write it different so you don’t miss it. The average person, that’s you and me, has approximately sixty thousand thoughts a day!

If you had only one thought a day it would take over 164 years for you to have 60,000 thoughts. Yet we have approximately that many thoughts in one day! Let me say it again, there is a battle in your mind for your mind!

Now think about this. Of the thousands of thoughts we have, 80% are negative and 95% are repetitive. Wow! I think I’ve said it before but please let me say it again. There’s a battle in your mind for your mind!

Here’s the truth. Your life will move in the direction of your most dominate thoughts. What you think affects how you feel and is directly connected to your emotions.
How you think will have a huge impact on the relationships around you and determine the health of those relationships.

You may already know this but our arch enemy, Satan, is a master at mind games!
But let me also remind you that when Jesus is your Master, you can master your mind!
When Jesus has transformed you through his saving power and you are living a life that is controlled by the Holy Spirit, 80% of your thoughts are not negative! They are thoughts of life and peace!

You do not have to be controlled by a negative thought life! But let me add that it takes effort on our part to have a positive mind-set, a mind that is set on the things of the Spirit.
God allows us to choose our thoughts! Read that again!

Although, He will help us change our thoughts and therefore change our life if we allow him.

“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” Romans 12:2 AMP

If I take a quick inventory of my thoughts and I realize the majority of my thoughts are negative then I really have to think about what I’ve been thinking about.
What has been the focus of my mind? Many times what has been the focus of my mind is determined by what I’ve been putting in my mind.

Romans 12:2 tells us that God has a will for us! That tells me that God is thinking about me and in God like fashion the Bible tells us “even before I was born, God planned in advance my destiny and the good works I would do to fulfill it!”
 
God was thinking about you before you were even born! I know, it blows my mind too! And God is still thinking about you today! You just have to believe it!

“Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider
that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me.”- Psalms 139:17-18

So if God is thinking about me and I’m thinking about him, instant connection!

If I don’t sense an instant connection with God when I’m thinking and meditating on him, could it be that my thoughts about God are wrong.

Don’t miss this! Let me say it again. Don’t miss this! If my thoughts about God are wrong, then what I think He thinks about me will be wrong as well!

Can you see the power of your thoughts?

Read Psalms 139:17-18 again. Think about what God is thinking about you. And He knows you better than you know yourself!

Friend when you think about you the way God thinks about you, it’s a game changer! It’s a transformed life because you’ve experienced transformed thinking!

Just think about it!

One more verse from the Bible. Well two more.

“So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!” – Romans 38-39

Encouraging the world and thinking about how much God loves and desires you!
Pastor Ken

I’ll never forget when I recommitted my heart to Jesus Christ after going in an unhealthy direction with my life for several years. There were miracles at that time when God was exposing his unconditional, unfailing love to me and his grace was being poured out like drinking from a firehouse.

It was one of those times when I could not reach mercy but mercy came running to me. It was also a painful season because God was also exposing some things in my life that were unhealthy! Although his forgiveness was a breath of fresh air. That’s just our God.
Another chance was in front of me and God was saying, “Okay lets go, I’m going to restore the years the enemy thinks he’s stolen and I’m going to thrust you into my plan for your life!”

One thing totally unexpected yet powerful happened now over some 30 years ago. An overwhelming hunger was ignited in me to spend time in God’s presence, in prayer.
Sometimes it’s difficult to explain but that once cold place in my heart was now burning with a desire to spend time in prayer!

They say the journey to consistent prayer begins with desire then discipline and then delight. But by the grace of God I bypassed the discipline stage and went right into the delight stage. Being disciplined really wasn’t an issue because it was such a delight.
During this season of recommitting and rebuilding while God was restoring I needed many things to change. And to be truthful there were some situations that did change and I’m forever grateful for what God did and continues to do.

But what about those things that I pleaded with God to change and nothing happened. Nothing changed! I prayed and I was diligent and persevered and asked God to change some things yet nothing changed.

Wait that’s not correct, something was changing! I was changing, from the inside out.
I’m no theologian and I continue to grow in my relationship with God but I’ve discovered one simple truth after many hours of prayer in over 30 years.

When I’m praying and seeking God and asking him to change my circumstances and it appears nothing is changing, something is changing. God is changing me.
I’m growing bigger on the inside than I am on the outside. Yes God is answering my prayer, it’s just not the way I thought he would.

My friend prayer changes things. It changes you and then you change things!

I discovered that when God was creating a new heart in me, changing me, the greater work was being accomplished as I spent time in prayer!

Your Heavenly Father longs to spend time with you!

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” -2 Corinthians 3:18

Devoted to prayer that changes me,
Pastor Ken

The summer of 2011 and the following year was gut wrenching to say the least! I’ll spare you all the details but let me just say my family suffered great loss after stepping out to plant a church.

In the aftermath, all that was left standing was our family relationships which I’m thankful for.
So the question was at the time, what’s next and what’s going to be my attitude toward God, life and ministry?

Fast forward about nine and half years and my family and I are once again leading a great church and we’ll be here 5 years September 2021.

But what about those 5 years between the two churches? And what about my attitude during those years?

Before I sound like some super human that has everything together please understand those were some difficult days. I struggled, my wife struggled, my whole family struggled. I lost count of the times I wanted to quit!

There were times my attitude was like riding a roller coaster but in time the joy of the Lord returned and with it our ability to DREAM…….AGAIN.

I laugh now but I don’t know how many times I asked my wife Jeanie if she thought I was still a pastor. Finally I had a “light bulb” moment when she STRONGLY replied, “I believe you’re a pastor but YOU have to believe you’re a pastor!”

So let me share a few practical yet spiritual steps that I believe helped us get where we’re at today and helped my attitude stay positive about the future.

1.  Stay connected to God and don’t blame Him.

God is a good God and He loves to give good gifts to His children! Get the picture? He will NEVER fail you!

So stay connected with God!

2. Stay connected with God’s family and don’t blame people.
 
I’m not trying to boast, only trying to help, but we never missed connecting with the family of God (going to church) because we were mad at God or mad at people.

In fact we ended up serving in a church as associate pastors for four years. I think it really helped my attitude having to humble myself and serve under another leader. Cleaning those toilets and mopping the floors probably helped as well but that’s for another blog.

3. Do what you know to do.
 
Do what you know to do when you don’t know what to do.

 Sometimes you have to do what you don’t want to do to get to the place you’re doing what you want to do. And do it with the right attitude!

YOU MIGHT NEED TO READ THAT LAST PARAGRAPH AGAIN!

I’m sure Joseph didn’t want to be thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, wrongfully accused and then thrown into prison. But this is what led to the fulfillment of the dream God had given him!

For me it was starting a lawn service, substitute teaching, and painting houses and businesses. I was just doing what I knew was my responsibility to do when I didn’t know what to do.

And having a good attitude about it even after we’d lost everything!

In those days of mowing grass, teaching students, painting houses there was one Bible verse that kept me going with the right attitude.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

And today, well, we’re DREAMING…….AGAIN! And the cool thing, you can as well!
 
Oh, one more thing. Your attitude, your choice! Love you!

AND…..Your attitude matters to God!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
(Philippians 4:4)

Still Dreaming,
Ken

I was frustrated, discouraged and felt defeated. Working four different jobs to make ends meet was finally taking its toll on me. My wife and I were ready to pack up and move to the Dallas area hoping it would provide the opportunity for a fresh start.

But before we made the final decision to uproot I took a week off to rest and celebrate the New Year with my mother who at that time lived in a small west Texas town.

After spending a few days with mom, on Saturday January 4, 2014, I started my journey home taking the route that would bring me through the Dallas area. I did this having already decided in my mind that when I arrived home we were going to start taking steps to transition north.

But I wanted to pray one more time, this time while traveling through the geographical area I was hoping we’d experience a new beginning.

So while traveling east on Interstate 20 I rolled my window down on a cold wintery morning and started to pray. It doesn’t always happen this way but immediately I heard the voice of God respond to the voice of my prayers.

I heard God saying this next season of my life was not about geographical location but more about getting in His presence and becoming more intimate with Him. I needed to become reacquainted with who He is in me and who I am with Him in me.
I still had around five hours of drive time so I just started to meditate on the wealth of the words I’d just heard.

Approximately two hours later as I’m now traveling south down Interstate 45 I receive a text from a Pastor friend who had no idea where I had been and what I was doing and praying. I’m just going to share the text since I recorded it in one of my journals.

“Dude, the Lord just gave me a word for you. lol! It is found in Ezekiel 44. There is a contrast between the sons of Zadok and the priests. Only the sons of Zadok could approach the Lord and minister before Him. The other priests could minister to the people but couldn’t approach Him. While there is a people God has for you for sure He wanted me to tell you that the new thing He has for you in ministry has arrived but it is more about ministry to Him and in His presence and going to a new level of intimacy and a new place in Him and less about a geographical place in the earth right now. Ministry to people is a far second. Ministry to Him is primary. Read Ezekiel 44. I hope this all made sense. If not give me a call. Blessings on you and Jeanie.”

In a moment of what I like to call “suddenly” God confirmed that I had been hearing His voice and also confirmed my primary assignment for this next season of our lives and ministry.

For over 2 years we remained in the same geographical are but now over 7 years later Jeanie and I pastor a great church in Wichita Falls, Tx. called Encounter Church. We believe God has called us to raise up an army of people that are FIRST encountering God and becoming intimate with Him!

So many times we can be distracted from what’s primary while doing and searching for what we believe God wants us to do. We get caught up in “doing” instead of “being” who called God has called us to be.

What we’re doing for God should come out of who we’re becoming for God and who we’re becoming is formed in God’s presence. The more intimate I become with Him the more I become like Him!

In those seasons I’m uncertain about what God has called me do I can be certain about “who” I’m called to be because being intimate with God is a life-time calling, for all of us!
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you….” (James 4:8)

Friends God is longing to spend time with you. Make your relationship with Him the priority of your life!

You may ask, but what about the doing? Jesus answered it best in John 15.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Can you see it, it’s clear? Intimacy comes before doing. Intimacy is God’s will!

Growing in intimacy,
Ken Woolf

“God, how could this happen, I thought You were with me?”

In July 2006 Jeanie and I were in Colorado Springs, CO. to attend a meeting in the home of a friend that consisted of a small group of pastors from all over America. The morning of the fellowship I awoke early to spend some time in prayer. While praying I asked God for confirmation that we were supposed to plant a church in Pueblo West, CO. I was hoping this day would provide certain direction from God.

What transpired would “blow your mind!” It did mine! Not once, not twice, but three times God confirmed that planting the church was His plan for us. I’ll not give all the details but you could see the hand of God at work, do doubt!

So in June 2011 when we decided to discontinue the church plant in Colorado and I’m packing my bags to go work a job in Texas you might see why I would ask the question, “God, how could this happen, I thought You were with me?” Not that working a job back in Texas is a bad thing, but it can be very disheartening if you believe you’re called to plant a church in Colorado. Not only that, but I left a great church to go plant this church. What was I thinking! Well, what I was thinking was that I was following the plan of God for my life and ministry.

Let me share some words from Pastor Wayne Cordeiro he recorded in his book “Sifted.” “When things don’t go as we expect we falsely conclude that things did not go as God planned. We tend to define God’s goals so that they match the way we want our life to unfold. We assume that the way we see things should be the way God sees them too. Each of us is only a change in perspective away from seeing our circumstances as God’s good will for our lives instead of a disappointing, frustrating setback.”

I don’t know what you’re struggling with, but if you’re human like me, I’m sure there’ve been times you’ve asked God, “how could this happen?” What you need to know is that God can handle your questions, and the good thing about your questions is that you’re still talking to Him!

The Bible tells us in Romans 8 there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love.
 NOTHING! Don’t allow anyone to tell you that God no longer loves you. He loves you and still has a great plan for your life.

Maybe your struggle is part of God’s process to prepare you for the future He has planned for you!
 
So here’s the big deal. Don’t allow anything to separate your love from God!  Did you catch that? I know you have questions and God can handle them. But while going through some of your most difficult times, do you still love Him? Don’t allow what God is using to refine you to drive you away from God. That’s not what God desires. He wants you to run to Him and not away from Him.  He wants to be more than enough in your life.

Jesus is always more than enough for us, but we will not know it until our faith has been tested. It bears repeating. Don’t allow anything to separate your love from God. He’s not allowing anything to separate His love from you!

Press on my friend!
Dreaming…….Again PK

Many years ago a man named David was chosen by God to be the next King of Israel, yet afterwards he hid in caves in the wilderness because the current King wanted to kill him.

That King knew how to throw spears. And David learned to dodge spears which is much better than learning the art of throwing spears.

Many years before God chose David he chose another man named Joseph and gave him a dream! Sounds delightful! A dream from God!

Although, the family of Joseph wasn’t delighted with the “dreamer” so they threw him in a pit. This led to Joseph being sold into slavery and then wrongfully accused of rape and being incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit.

How can we fully explain why these men had to experience what they did but history and the Bible tell us the God given dream of Joseph was fulfilled and that David did take his place as King.

Joseph was put in a position to protect the birthing process of a Nation and David would later lead that Nation.

How did they reach the goal after facing daunting circumstances? ATTITUDE!

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

I’ve heard it said before that attitude will determine your altitude!

Attitude, everybody has one! Attitude will determine your destiny!
Wait a minute I thought God determines my destiny? It was God’s plan for a whole generation of the Children of Israel to enter the promised land after being delivered from Egyptian bondage, yet they died in the wilderness.

WHY? Because of their ATTITUDE! They did nothing but murmur and complain which expressed their ungrateful hearts of unbelief.

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.

“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

An attitude of gratitude is everything!
When I’m thankful in all things it communicates to God that I trust Him and believe that whatever He’s promised is true and is going to happen. My friends that’s everything to God.

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Maybe it’s time for an ATITUDE check up!
Dreaming Again,

Ken

Psalm 91:2 – “This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.”

He watches over us. He protects us. He rescue’s us. He covers us and shelters us. He answers us when we call on Him.

God is my refuge! This helps me feel safe and secure!

Refuge- Hope, place of safety, shelter, trust

But there’s another verse in Psalm 91 that I’m certain the translators must have got wrong. Not really!

Psalm 91:15 – “When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.”

Here’s what I’d rather this verse say. “And I will keep you out of trouble.”

After all, if you’d keep me out of trouble God, you wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of rescuing me!
 
FIRST TRUTH
STORMS WILL COME

Mark 4:35-41 – “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

John 16:33- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

SECOND TRUTH
YOU’RE NOT ALONE IN THE STORM

John 14:1- “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me (JESUS).”
God is with you in the storm! And when you place your trust in God, there may be a storm on the outside but there can be peace on the inside!

God is greater than your storm! Jesus had power over the wind and waves!

Psalm 46:1- “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE GOD’S PRESENCE IN THE STORM

Psalm 91:1-2- “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.”

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE GOD’S PROTECTION IN THE STORM

Psalm 91:4- “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE GOD’S POWER IN THE STORM

Psalm 91:13 – “You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!”

THIRD TRUTH
YOU CAN PREPARE FOR THE STORM

Matthew 7:24-27- “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
 
Jesus is our refuge in the storm! He says that if you’ll build your life on Me you can overcome every storm!

 Nahum 1:7- “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”

The storms of life are no respecter of persons and they come and go at unexpected times. But what never changes is that God is good and He is close to those who put their trust in Him.

And here’s what’s really cool! When you put your faith in God He gives you peace in the midst of the storm!

 YOU CAN EXPERIENCE GOD’S PEACE IN THE STORM

 Dreaming …….Again
 Ken Woolf

The God who never changes is always changing things! Time changes things and Covid-19 has definitely changed things.

Yet we treat change like the plague, no pun intended, and dig our heels in and demand it be done like it’s been done the last 30 years.

There are days I reflect back on the years I attended grade school and I miss my hometown and the friends I grew up with. And it doesn’t help that I attended the greatest school in Texas, Port Neches-Groves. Yep I still bleed purple from time to time! Scalp-em Indians!
But it would seem odd and I’d probably end up in jail if I kept showing up at the High School trying to attend classes some 39 years later.

COVID-19 HAS CHANGED THINGS!
Change is inevitable, whether we’re forced to change because we’re under a “shelter in place” or it’s a willful change. So why do we fight change so much?
One of our church elders said something that is now forever engrained in my cerebral cortex.

“When people fight change it’s because they want to be immutable like God and we are not. They want to be God.” WOW!

“I am the Lord, I do not change…” (Malachi 3:6)

That’s why God’s Word, the Bible, will never change. Because the Author never changes!
But the God who never changes is always changing things! One minute he speaks from a burning bush and then the next he speaks from a cloud. On one occasion Jesus touches someone and heals them and then on another they touch Him and are healed.
One minute a blind man is healed after Jesus puts mud in his eyes and tells him to go for a swim in a pool of water and the next minute Jesus heals a blind man simply by speaking to him and telling him his faith has healed him.

The God who never changes is always changing things. So therefore when we are forced to change our methods who better to turn to than God! Because he was always changing His methods!

So we need to SEEK AND SURRENDER!

Today I want to SEEK God with all my heart and hear His voice!

Then I want to SURRENDER to what He’s doing in my life. I want to SURRENDER to what He’s doing in His church. I want to SURRENDER to what He’s doing in the earth!
EVEN IF IT MEANS I NEED TO EXPERIENCE CHANGE!

If I’m really honest the biggest reason I fight change is because I want to control. One of my favorite pastors, Craig Groeschel, made the following statement recently. “God can do more with your surrender than He can with your control.” WOW!

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
(Isaiah 43:19)

You and I can reach people in an ever-changing world with the Good News of a loving Heavenly Father that never changes, if we are willing to change!

Dreaming…….Again,
PK

Have you ever been driving at night and allowed the headlights of the oncoming vehicle to catch your focus? I have and the result was the noise of a loud horn (and probably a hand gesture by the driver of the other vehicle I couldn’t see because it was dark) and me coming to myself jerking the steering wheel to get back in the center of my lane.

What happened? I started to drift toward my focus, the headlights of the oncoming vehicle which almost caused a head-on collision.

We all go through difficult seasons of life, especially now, and our focus during these trying times is crucial. And let me go ahead and say that my focus hasn’t always been where it needs to be during these trials of life and I’ve ran head-on into my struggles. When this happened I was consumed with my struggle and the peace and joy of God was absent. Or in other words I became discouraged and depressed. All because the struggle became my focus!

The Bible points out that life is not without struggles.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5)

Rejoice in my problems and trials? I don’t know about you but my problems don’t usually have that effect on me. But that’s because initially my focus isn’t where it should be when I encounter these difficult days. Such as what COVID-19 has brought us!
But where should my focus be? The above verses tell us that when problems and trials arise they are developing us, so should I be focused on ME?

If you stop and think about it isn’t that really our natural response to our problems and struggles. We become focused on the problem and on self, causing us to become self-absorbed. And that never leads to rejoicing. In fact most of the time it leads to a pity party instead of a praise party!

So our focus should be where? ON GOD! During the crisis we must fight to give God all our attention.

If you want to walk through your struggle, and come out the other side victorious, you’ve got to focus on God! Remember His love for you and be confident that your hope in Him will not lead to disappointment.

Now I don’t believe God causes our trials and tribulations but He does use them to develop us and never forget that in the midst of your storm, God is there “in the boat” and He really wants to fill our hearts with His love.

Here’s what I’ve discovered from my own experience and from working with many people as a pastor. During the storms of life you will either draw closer to God or your heart will move further from God!

God doesn’t move, the Bible says that He never leaves us or forsakes us. God is faithful and He loves us with unconditional love. Something else to never forget is that God is for us, even in our struggles.

So what should be my expected outcome when I focus on God and draw closer to Him?
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11)

I love it! When God becomes my focus, joy arises in my heart, I experience His pleasures and receive His direction for my life. And the greatest thing I discover is that God is much bigger than my struggles.

I don’t know about your “storm” today but I do know God is near. Focus your attention on Him and you will be full of joy and peace. Even in the midst of the storm.
One last Bible verse to keep in mind.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

God is working, trust Him and keep your focus on Him! It’s time to Dream…….Again!
PK

Not long ago I was asked what I missed the most about being a Police Officer. Without hesitation I replied, “the relationships!” Sometimes I jokingly reply, “putting people in jail.” I always get a strange look when I say that.

The people I worked with, we were FAMILY! We were close and could depend on one another. I love the family atmosphere, a sense of BELONGING! Now that I’m a Pastor this is something I often miss among my peers but that’s for another blog.

While at the gym recently I noticed a sign on the wall that said, “you belong.” I believe we all have a desire to BELONG! I think that’s why I also love being a United States Marine. There are no “X”-Marines. You’re part of a family for life!

Have you ever thought about why God created people? I believe it’s because He wanted a FAMILY! God is love and He wanted someone to express His love to!
AND GOD WANTS YOU TO BE PART OF HIS FAMILY………FOR LIFE!

How strong is God’s desire?
“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5(NLT)

“For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.”
John 3:16 (TPT)

God wants you to identify with Him as a Father because you’re His child. God wants a family and He wants you to know, you belong!

“And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!” For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!”  Romans 8:15,16 (TPT)

Wow, when Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life, you belong! Never to be forsaken again or alone again! YOU’RE FAMILY!

And the cool thing is we get to hang out with God’s children on this earth! Why? We have something in common, God is our Father!

Not only do we belong to God but we belong to one another! FAMILY!

“Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.”  Ephesians 2:19 (TLB)

We belong to one another!

Here’s some really good news! You can connect with God right now through His Son Jesus
Christ and you can connect with His family on this earth.

YOU NEVER HAVE TO BE ALONE AGAIN!

Dreaming…..Again,
Ken