Akron Foursquare Church

Hebrews 11 - part 10, By Pastor Mike Kinney Sr. Pastor

2009-08-01T06:51:00.001-07:00

Scripture: for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:10

Observation: Heaven's description, it is a city made up of a society, well established, well defended and well supplied. It is a city that has foundations, purity, a place where the fulfillment of salvation is seen, heaven is a city who's builder and maker is God.

Application: Abraham had a high regard for this place we call heaven, he looked for it, he believed there was such a place, he waited for it, and he conversed in it by faith. Heaven influenced Abraham's conversation, the hope of it supported him under all the trials of his sojourning state, helped him have the fruit of patience, and was a motivation to service to it's builder. Heaven was a place Abraham longed for.

Heavenly Father, may I long for heaven. May heaven anchor my faith in all that you are, and all that you do. May heaven influence my conversation, support me in times of trails and work patience in my life. Lord, heaven is what I am watching for and I long to see it for myself, in Jesus name....A-men

Hebrews 11, part 2 by Pastor Mike Kinney Sr. Pastor

2009-07-27T04:20:00.000-07:00

Scripture: For by it the Elders obtained a good testimony. Hebrews 11:2

Observation: Elders here are Old Testament saints, many of whom are mentioned in this chapter. They received a good report, not because of there achievements, personal holiness, or passive acceptance of divine providence, but by an active certitude expressed in obedience, persistence and sacrifice.

Application: Faith is an old grace, starting when man was created and asked to trust God in what He said. Faith has been planted in the soul of every man, and has been practiced since the beginning. Men of old, faith was their honor, it reflected honor upon them. There was an honor to them, it put them doing the things that were of a good report, and God has taken care that a record shall be kept and report made of the excellent things they did in the strength of there faith.

Heavenly Father, may I live in faith and let that be my report, not my achievement, lifestyle, but the fact that I believed God and His Word and was obedient, persistent, and I sacrificed for my faith, in Jesus name....Amen

Hebrews 11 - part 1 by Pastor Mike Kinney Sr. Pastor

2009-07-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

Scripture: "Now faith is the substance of the things hoped for, the evidence of the things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Observation: A definitions or description of the grace of faith in two parts.

Application: Faith is the substance of things hoped for: Faith and hope go together, and the same things that are the object of my hope are the object of my faith. Faith is the firm persuasion that all God has promised will be done, hope comes alongside for it is my desire, hope to receive all the promises that God has for me.
Faith is the evidence of things not seen: Faith demonstrates to the eye of my mind the reality of those things that I cannot discern by the eye of my body. Faith is a firm assent to my soul that the Divine Revelations and every part of the proven reality of God, and the goodness of God to my life.

Heavenly Father, May my faith have great hope, and my faith cause my eye to see that with you all things are possible. may the grace of faith be demonstrated in my life, in Jesus name....A-men

A God To Look To by Pastor Mike Kinney Sr. Pastor

2009-07-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

Scripture: "Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation, my God will hear me". Micah 7:7

Observation: This is a creed for times of crisis. This verse states specifically what the vision, attitude, and faith of a believer should be.

Application: I have a God who I can look up to, there is great comfort in what this truth teaches. My delight should be in the Lord, happy is the man who has a God that can be trusted, especially in times of trouble. In times of trouble men around may fade, thankfully God is my comfort, He is faithful, and if relationships around me are unkind God is and will show graciousness to me. May I therefore look above, over look disappointment and look to the Lord, I have a God to look up to.

Heavenly Father, I am thankful I can look to you. May I do so often, may I take the cares of my life to you daily. There I will find love, grace and support, in Jesus name.....A-men

He Will Not Let Me Fall by Pastor Mike Kinney Sr. Pastor

2009-07-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

Scripture: Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Jude 24

Observation: I must trust in the ability of God to bring me blameless into His presence, for if I don't I am trusting in my ability and that will fail.

Application: God is able, not only that, He is as willing as He is able to keep me from falling, and to present me before the presence of His glory. He will present me not as one who has not sinned, for at salvation that was done and needs not be repeated - but rather as one whose faults are not held against me to my ruin, which but for God's mercy and a Savior's merit they might not justly have been.

Heavenly Father, I am secure in Christ, eternally that is my position. May I make sure I stay in that position, my eternal security is in the one who is able to keep me. Therefore He will not let me fall - in Jesus name.....A-men

My Friend by Kirk Wells

2009-06-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Scripture: But now that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers became fearful and said, "now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him." Genesis 50:15

Observation: This scripture makes me think about how I use to think about the way God dealt with my past mistakes (a nice way of saying sin). Once I accepted Jesus as my savior, my life changed, life was good. Then the enemy came with torment, guilt and regret. I just knew it was too good to be true. God was just waiting for the opportunity to take it all away, just when my life seemed to have a meaning.

Application: I have learned that God isn't out to get even with me, that's Satan trying to convince me I'm not going to be accepted by God for all the wrongs I've done in my life? I am worthy or He wouldn't have created me! God's just waiting for me, with an eagerness to be my best friend. God wants all that junk gone, not so He can punish me, but NOW I can be use able and I can see truths now, since the junk isn't blocking my view. Now I can have faith in God's future without the condemnation of my past, thank you Lord!

Heavenly Father help me to live out your purpose and only be able to hear your voice. In Jesus name....A-men

How will I be different from what I have read - I will have a new view of my past

No More Old Man by Pastor Mike Kinney Sr. Pastor

2009-06-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

Scripture: "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts." Ephesians 4:22

Observation: The principles, habits, and dispositions on my soul must be changed. There must be a work of sanctification that is seen and lived out by me.

Application: Sanctification consists of these two things: 1. the old man must be put off. The corrupt nature is called man, because, like the human body it consists of many parts, mutually supporting and strengthening each other. I must make the deeds of the old man miserable, mortify them, see to there end. 2. The new man must be put on. It is not enough to forsake the old way, I must apply a new way of doing things, embrace them, write them on my heart, for it is not enough to stop doing evil I must now do well.

Heavenly Father, no more old man each day may I say this, each day strive for this, doing it once is not enough I must daily put off the old and put on the new, in Jesus name....A-men

The Left-Handed Man by John Stair

2009-06-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

Judges 3:15 - 30 - Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord and He gave them a deliverer - Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gena the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with the tribute to Eglung King of Moab....As the King rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the King's belly.

Observation: Being left-handed has been thought to be a handicap; a weakness; from the earliest days of world history until well into the 1930's and 40's. When left-handed American students were forced to learn to right with their right hand. Yet, Ehud was not a rare anomaly as many Benjamites were left-handed (Judges 20:15-16). But God used Ehud's "perceived" weakness to give Israel victory over the Baal worshipping Moabites.

Application: If we let him, God can take our weakness; perceived, imaginary or real, and make them a source of strength. As He told the apostle Paul, who asked of Him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:8-9. When we are strong in our own nature, we are tempted to do God's work on our own and that can lead to sinful pride which could actually hinder our effectiveness and perhaps even destroy our testing. When we are weak, however, we allow God to fill us with His power and strength which enables us to be stronger than we could ever b on our own, not to mention being more effective for the cause of Christ as well. And we should rejoice in our weakness, just as Paul did when he observed that, "when I am weak, then I am strong."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that your Son Jesus Christ has pre-eminace in your Kingdom as scripture tells me that he is seated at the right-hand of the Father, a position of great authority, power and prestige. Therefore these qualities are associated with right-handedness. yet you in your infinite wisdom and mercy saw fit to redeem the left-handed nature of all mankind from the pit of hell to all mortals who submitted themselves to the blood and Lordship of your son Jesus Christ. I, for one am eternally grateful for this gift and the grace you have afforded to me and to all who believe and are saved. Thank you, in Jesus' name....A-men

How May I Help by Kirk Wells

2009-05-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

James 5:16: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Observation: Is it so hard to confess our sins? I think its hard to confess sin because I've more than likely condemned someone else for theirs. Nobody wants to feel condemned! And that's exactly what we do if we don't pray and have concern for others that share their struggles with us. We should look at every sin (whether our own or someone else's) as an offence to God that might keep us from entering the Kingdom of heaven. I don't know about you, but I've not met anyone I've wanted to see cast into hell, or even to not be healed!

Application: I have to learn to trust my brothers in Christ to the point I can confess my sins and even my struggles. I hope they will pray for me and walk beside me with words of encouragement and wisdom. How powerful would we be if all our christian brothers and sisters would earnestly pray for each other instead of condemn and gossip behind each there backs. You know, like when we say. "I can't believe so and so did that!" I know only a fool would say, "That will never happen to me!"

Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that you would put people in my life I can trust, and that will pray for me. People that have hearts that want to see all brothers and sisters healed and taken to haven. Help me Lord in all my relationships, in Jesus name I pray....A-men

Heroic Living by Bill Dorrenbacher Elder

2009-05-11T06:25:00.000-07:00

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 - There was a man named Jabez who was more distinguished than any of his brothers. his mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. he was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and extend my lands. Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain." And God granted him his request.

Observation: Jabez prayed specifically to be protected from trouble and pain. We live in a fallen world filled with sin and it is important to ask God to keep us safe from the unavoidable evil that comes our way. But we also must avoid evil motives, desires and actions that begin within us. Therefore we must not only seek God's protection from evil, but we must also ask God to guard our thoughts and actions. We can begin using His protection by filling our mind with positive thoughts and actions.

Application: Jabez is remembered for a prayer request rather than a heroic act. In his prayer Jabez asked Go to: 1) Bless him, 2) Help him in his work (extend my lands), 3) Be with him in all he did, and 4) Keep him from trouble and pain. Jabez acknowledged God as the true center of his work. When we pray for God's blessing we should also ask Him to take His rightful position as Lord over our work, over our family, time, and our recreation. Obeying Him in daily responsibilities is heroic living.

Prayer: Heavenly Father you are holy and I ask and invite you to be the center of my life, work, family, time, business and recreation. It is my desire that you take your rightful position as Lord of my life in Jesus name....A-men

A Light for Christ by Jennifer Sewell Children's Minstry Leader

2009-05-04T06:03:00.000-07:00

Scripture: For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Observation: Paul tell us to let our light shine for Jesus Christ, let it shine even in the darkness of this world. Let this light shine to let others see it even if it is hard. Because sharing Jesus and His light to others is our calling, our job.

Application: I like to remember this in my life when having a bad day. Show the light and love of Jesus to everyone no matter what. Who knows maybe the light I show will help get someone through their day.

Heavenly Father help me to be a light for you in any situation no matter what, help me to always show your light and love, in Jesus name.....A-men

Build on The Rock by Dustan Ricker Men's Minstry Leader

2009-04-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

Matthew 7:24-25 - Therefore who ever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock, and the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Observation: David was a good example of this he had already been picked by God to be the King but life was ruff. Saul was seeking to kill him at every opportunity he could and every where David went people were wanting to deliverer him over to Saul, no matter how good of a place he found to hide. But he always sought the Lord.

Application: No matter how bad life seems at times these scriptures are reminders to me that if I will turn to the Lord during the good and bad times my life will not be taken away by the enemies floods of attempts to take it.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for being the rock that we can always stand on and count on no matter what. In Jesus name I pray....Amen

Love Bears All Things by Pastor Mike Kinney

2009-04-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 13:7 - Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Observation: Love defends and holds all people up. Love will always believe the best about others, will credit them with good intentions, and is not suspicious.

Application: Love that bears all things will pass by and put up with injuries, without indulging anger or cherishing revenge, it will be patient when provoked but holds firm in its resolve to love others. Because of this, love can believe all things, believes in the best when it sees the worst, will All ways believes for intentions to be right and will not second guess actions.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may my love be bearing, always with the intent to hold others up even when I have or think I have been wronged. May my love be the strength in my belief of others. In Jesus name I pray.... Amen