The Ultimate Weapon

As a soldier, to do the job to which you are called, proper weaponry is important. I’m not a police officer, just a guy called to minister to them and support them spiritually and morally, but I have observed that no law enforcement officer wants to be caught in a life-threatening stand-off with a hostile without his or her firearm. I say again, weaponry is important.

The scriptures teach us that our weapon, as believers in Christ, is the Word of God. In fact, the New Testament declares that it is a sword, and a two-edged sword at that. Paul called it the “sword of the Spirit.” Every time we speak scripture against our negative situation, we are unleashing the sword of God’s Spirit against the “demons” trying to oppress us. Though I’m licensed to carry in the state of Texas, I don’t walk around with one strapped to my side; but, as a pastor, I love to help soldiers in God’s army beef up their spiritual weaponry. Here’s a new “sword” that I found this week. It is Psalm 112 and I wrote a positive faith confession based on the passage of scripture for you to confess over your life by faith. Here goes!

Psalm 112

1. I praise You, Lord! I am joyful because I fear you (have reverential awe for You) and I delight in obeying Your commands.
2. My children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever.
4. Light shines in the darkness for me (as I walk in godliness). I am generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5. Good comes to me because I lend money generously and conduct my business fairly.
6. I will not be overcome by evil. Because I am righteous, I will be long remembered.
7. I do not fear bad news; I confidently trust You, Lord, to care for me.
8. I am confident and fearless and can face my foes triumphantly.
9. I share freely and give generously to those in need. My good deeds will be remembered forever. I will have influence and honor.
10. The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

Even if you don’t feel like you fit the bill for some of these characteristics, like “being righteous”, declare it anyway, by faith, and see if anything begins to change in your life. The Word of God is your ultimate weapon. When God gives you a word to claim as your own that can potentially challenge your present circumstance or reality and invite you to a higher place… USE IT!

I stand in prayer for you. Be blessed!

Kevin Herrin

3 Journeys to Bethlehem

“3 Journeys to Bethlehem”

Christmas seems to be either the best or worst time of the year for people. I believe in the power of displacement. If you want to get rid of the negative thing, give place to the more powerful positive thing and it will push the negative out.

There were three different journeys made to Bethlehem by three different groups of people. They represent three actions that create a beautiful plan of God for your life. My prayer is that during this week of celebrating the true reason for the season, Christ Jesus, you will find a new dimension of God’s holy presence dwelling, not only in your home but also in your hearts as a family that will negate the negative.

The Promise-Birthers – Mary & Joseph

A flat tire at the moment you are in the biggest hurry. A rip in your only remaining pair of hose requiring you to run by the store on your way to an important appointment. Kids, a big day at the water park cancelled because of an emergency problem mom and dad have to fix. Life is full of unexpected and unfortunate delays. Why do they happen? Why me? Why now? Sometimes God has to allow these things to inconvenience us onto another pathway to get us back on track with a great blessing, or to save us from destruction. Mary and Joseph did not have a baby that would become the Savior of the world in their plans when they got engaged to be married. But He came and now she is pregnant with the Son of God. She is just about to deliver when Caesar Augustus gets the bright idea to find out how many people are in his kingdom. He decides to count them and demands that everyone travel back to the town in which they were born. This hits at the worst time for Mary. She stands staring at that rough-riding mule and then at her pregnant belly, takes a big sigh, maybe, and then gets on preparing for the long, bumpy ride. What they may not have realized is that the prophets had told that the Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem. The problem? They lived in Nazareth. Their unexpected inconvenience was designed to get them in line to fulfill God’s prophecy in their lives. Later on, Jesus would call Himself the “bread of life.” Where is bread made? In a house of bread. Guess what “Bethlehem” means. House of bread! Yes! God thinks of everything! Instead of complaining about where you are, start thanking God for His redirect that’s getting you in the right place to give birth to a beautiful promise. Mary and Joseph thought it was bad news at first, but later on they were praising God for the birth of the awesome Blessing in their lives. Jesus wants to born in your life to bring Heaven down into your heart and home and to shine His light through you to a dark world.

The Promise-Worshippers – The Wise Men

Several very wealthy rulers from the east set out to worship the King of all kings who they heard was going to be born in Israel. Not knowing where to go, they were given a star by God to follow. This, in itself, was miraculous because these guys were probably not Jews. They were outsiders. The devil will try to tell you that you are not the right stuff to come worship Christ, but that didn’t stop these guys. When their worldly knowledge and wisdom could not tell them how to find Christ, they found the answer in the heavens. God is waiting for us to admit we can’t make it to Him alone. When we do, He will show up supernaturally. But, when they got to the city of Jerusalem, they took their eyes off of the star and began to ask people where the King was supposed to be born. This got them an audience with the “devil” himself, King Herod, who had a wicked heart. Taking our eyes off of the things of God and choosing to live according to the knowledge of the “flesh” can lead to our demise. After a very limited answer, they exited the king’s palace and began their search again. They knew the Christ was supposed to be born in Bethlehem now, but no details. When they focused on the heavens again, the star reappeared. God is always right there waiting for us to come back! The star led them straight to the house where Jesus was.

When there they arrived, they first bowed and worshipped Him and then they laid their gifts at His feet – gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gold declared His Kingship. The incense declared His Godhood as receiving worship. The myrrh declared His death as Man. When we come to Christ as the Promise-worshippers, we first should give ourselves and then our substance. Some give themselves but not their stuff. Others give their stuff but not themselves. God wants both. This is a beautiful pattern set by the wise men.

The Promise-Heralders – The Shepherds

When God chose to get the message out that Christ was born, who did He choose? Not a king, not religious leaders, but common shepherds. The point is God is not looking for pedigree, just honest, pure hearts; someone who will hear His Word and then say it just like He said it. He will speak His promise to you through His written word, through dreams and visions, and sometimes a billboard on the side of the road or in a movie theater. God is the originator of creativity.

So, during this Christmas week and all through the new year, let us seek to give birth to the beautiful Promise of Christ through our lives. Let us then worship Him so that He receives glory from every aspect of who we are. Finally, let us proclaim His majesty through our words and actions on a daily basis.

Be born in me, O Holy Spirit
And let my life be lost in Thine
And let the world see only You Lord
Be born in me, O Christ Divine

May the love, peace and joy of Jesus Christ reside in your home and hearts now. You are greatly loved by the Heavenly Father and you have a destiny according to the plan He has made for you since the beginning of time. We love you!

Pastor Kevin & Melissa Herrin

Dead?

Pastor Kevin Herrin addresses the “dead.”

Proud Daddy

My 15 year old, Jade, yielded to her Daddy and sang a song that set her apart from what teens might normally be inclined to sing.  She tackled the classic “Summertime” once recorded by Ella Fitzgerald.  I felt she added a mark of additional class to the great night of talent at the Texas City High School Choir Concert.  Please excuse the admirations of a proud Dad.  Enjoy.  

Larry Gives Back

While we were handing out food in Freddiesville and Hitchcock, Texas, two small towns that took on four to eight feet of water in their homes and businesses, I met Larry.  We had just dropped off about 15 meals to two families living beside one another, with cold drinks, peanut butter, Clorox bottles for cleaning up mold, and gummy bear candy.  Larry was so moved, he asked us if he could sing for us.  His family and friends stand in the background with the food as he sings. 

A Day With PK

Though I did not have a “professional” video crew going out with me to get the full scope of what we’ve been able to do in the past six weeks, I wanted to give you a sense of what a day in my life has been like.  This particular day was our last day to take food out to individual houses.  I only was able to video a few families.  Many are not comfortable being filmed at their weak moments.  We had to be careful.  30,000 meals later, we are finally winding down and looking for our next assignment.  The video is just under 10 minutes, so if you have a little free time, take a look. 

Dead?

This Halloween night, Melissa and I set up our candy bowl outside of the house.  Our neighborhood is a hub for the “trick-or-treat” crowd.  Parents come from all over town to walk our street with their “demons.”  Last year, we were prepared and had cards to put in every child’s bag that read, “Want to get rid of the creepies?  Jesus Christ gets rid of all things creepy.  Find Him at The Fellowship.”  But Ike kind of threw us off schedule this year and we forgot our cards.  Instead, we set up a photo place and took pictures of kids for free.  We released God’s blessings on every person and then I filmed a “Twilight Zone” bit of footage.  It was a fun night of giving to the people and letting them see the love of Christ on a night dedicated to the “darkness.”  Send the link to someone who might need it. 

Volunteers Needed!

We have been privileged to have Service International, a volunteer ministry from St. Louis Family Church, basing out of a location we secured for them after Hurricane Ike.  They are going to homes we have secured for them to help the homeowners clean out mud and debris.  Many have called from other churches across the nation asking what they could do to help if they sent volunteers.  We are happy to announce that S.I. is done with the facilities that will house the volunteers, up to 30 at a time.  Check out the video to see what is available. 

The Texas City Dike – Post Ike

Many of Galveston County’s residents have not been able to see the dike because of the roadblocks.  A massive clean-up effort is going on there right now.  The other day I was given the opportunity to drive past the line and video some of the great damage.  A road filled with signs, bait camps, fishing piers, boat ramps, picnic tables, gazebos and beaches has been scoured.  Nothing is left.  All that remains is a piece of land that looks like the residue of an atomic bomb.  Check out the video.

Galveston & San Leon Trips w/ John Ragsdale

This week we’ve been in a series of meetings with speaker/recording artist John Ragsdale.  He was able to go with me to Galveston on Monday and San Leon on Tuesday.  His video, I believe, will make an impact on you.  Check it out.