Ken Winter
Oneness

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Have you ever felt completely separated from God with pain, fear, and anxiety setting into your heart in a way you just couldn’t shake?

On the night before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus knew His disciples were about to face their greatest fears, pain, and anxiety. He wanted to prepare them. While gathered in the upper room, we read the words of comfort He spoke to them, as recorded in the Gospel of John.(1)

Oneness
Ken Winter
Which is the Greater Tragedy?

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Our news feeds are constantly filled with reports of death and destruction, whether caused by accidents, natural disasters, or inhumane acts of terror committed by individuals, gangs, organizations, or governments. No city, nation, or part of the world is exempt. We can trace the existence of tragedy all the way back to the murder of Abel at the hand of his brother Cain, and follow its heinous path through history to the present day.

The time of Roman rule when Jesus walked the earth was no exception. Though Scripture does not provide details, it does tell us that Pontius Pilate, the governing prefect of the region, ordered the killing of some Galileans as they were offering sacrifices in the Temple in Jerusalem.

Which is the Greater Tragedy?
Ken Winter
Faithful to the Finish

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Despite having witnessed God repeatedly overcome countless obstacles on their behalf, the Israelites were overwhelmed and discouraged by the size of the force now standing before them. Their fear eroded their confidence in God’s faithfulness. i don’t know about you, but i fear i am often guilty of allowing my fear to do the same thing.

The kings of the northern cities had seen how the God of the Israelites defeated other kings in Canaan. They had witnessed the destruction of Jericho and Ai after those kings had foolishly tried to resist the Israelites alone. They saw the five southern kings unite, only to be defeated. But instead of seeking peace, surrendering to the Israelites, and submitting to their God, the northern kings hardened their hearts. Driven by selfish ambition and pride, they chose to fight the Israelites. As Joshua led the Israelites north, the northern kings decided that their only chance of survival was to unite all the armies of the north.

Faithful to the Finish
Ken Winter
A Lesson in Unbelief

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They were God’s people. They were the people whom He had delivered from the bondage of Egypt so that through them, He might reveal His Name and glory to the nations. These were the people with whom God had made the covenant: “If you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to Me. And you will be to Me a kingdom of priests, My holy nation.”

Yet, time and again since leaving Egypt, the people had forgotten, doubted, or outright rejected God’s promise. Now, standing on the edge of the land God had promised them, they had heard the report that it was indeed a land flowing with milk and honey—everything God had said it would be.  He had led them all the way; the end of their journey was in sight.

A Lesson in Unbelief
Ken Winter
When Strength Becomes a Stumbling Block

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During my years as an associate pastor, i was blessed to serve alongside many gifted servants of God. i witnessed how the Lord uniquely prepared each individual for their respective assignments and called them to their positions of service at just the right time. i saw the remarkable way their complementary strengths and gifts came together under God’s leadership.

However, there is a potential weakness among even the most outstanding members that must be safeguarded against. An exceptionally talented group may be tempted to rely on their own strengths and abilities, attempting to do God’s work in their own way. This group might confidently advance based on human wisdom while neglecting to seek the Lord.

When Strength Becomes a Stumbling Block

Praise

Breath

Breath

We are acutely aware in these days that there are many things we permit to divide us. But there is one that should unite us all.

We can live our lives without a lot of the things that hold great importance to us. We can live without the possessions we hold dear. We can live without the positions that bring us self-importance and self-worth. We can even live without the good health and relationships that bring our lives enjoyment and purpose. And, for a period of time, we can even live without the food and water that bring nourishment to our bodies. But take away our breath and we immediately cease to live.

Breath is the one thing that distinguishes the living from the dead. Adam didn’t become a living person until God breathed into his nostrils.(1) Though muscles and flesh formed over the dry bones, they did not come to life until God breathed into them….(2)

Hallelujah Rising

Hallelujah Rising

Hallelujah! God be praised! As you read those words, what do they evoke within you? Yes, they are words of praise and worship spoken – or shouted – most often in gratitude to an Almighty God for what He has just done. And whatever it was, it more than likely bordered on the miraculous! What experience … or memory … or story immediately comes to your mind as you repeat those words? Was it the report that your test results came back and the tumor is gone? Or there’s no sign of cancer? Or the surgery was successful? Perhaps, it was that you had just been accepted into the school or program you applied for. Or you got the job … you so earnestly wanted … or so desperately needed. Hallelujah! God be praised!

Tied for number one on my list would have to be ….

Praise Before My Breakthrough

Praise Before My Breakthrough

Our Lord is the same today as He was yesterday, and as He will be tomorrow. Don’t take my word for it – take His! He has said it through His Word: “Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 CEV).

i always shudder whenever i hear someone say, “God doesn’t work like that anymore.” If that’s the case, then who changed? Because God said He never changes. So on whose authority do we make that statement? It obviously isn’t on the authority of God or His Word, so it must be on our own authority.

And what is the basis of our authority? It can’t be our position – because we are the created beings. What created being ever had the authority to say what its creator can and cannot do? The painting doesn’t have the capacity to tell the painter what he or she can or cannot do. The painting doesn’t select the color, the size of the canvas, the stroke, or the subject. The painting has no say in the matter. Through its position as the painting, it has no authority over the painter!

So if it’s not our position….

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