RECOVER ALL

 Recover your peace.  Recover your joy.  Recover your love.  Recover your faith.  Recover your dreams.  Yes you can DREAM.......AGAIN!

Recovering all has everything to do with how we respond to our tragedies.  How we respond to our trials and tribulations.  How we respond to our difficulties.

One of the more popular stories in the Old Testament is found in 1 Samuel 30  where David and his mighty men return home to Ziklag and find that an enemy has invaded their homes and kidnapped the women and children and stolen all their possessions.

Have you ever been blindsided?  Unexpected events that robbed you of your peace, your joy?  A time when you felt really vulnerable to life?  Things happened that in the natural it seemed God was nowhere around or to be found.  

This is all about THE ENEMY that had invaded their place of security and safety.

The Amalekites were the enemy.   Descendants of Amalek!  Why is this significant to us?  Well let me give you four meanings of the word "Amalek."

1.  The evil eye of doubt
2.  Spiritual Blindness
3.  Cutting of the neck
4.  A dweller in the Valley

Can you see the progression the enemy wants to plant in our mind and heart after we've suffered loss?

We begin to doubt God which leads to spiritual blindness because the Bible says that without faith it's impossible to please Him.

 Then we become blind to the things of God and there's a disconnect between our spirit man and Jesus Christ who the Bible identifies as the Head of the Body.  He is our source of LIFE!

And when we're severed from our source of life we become "dwellers in the valley."  

HEAR THE WORDS OF JESUS!

"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]."  (John 10:10)

We all experience the "valleys" of life but Jesus never intended for us to become "dwellers in the valley."

None of us desire to inhabit the valley so how do we obviate the occasions to build a house when God simply wants us to walk through?

Before I give the simple answer,  you and I can be certain that David and his friends were having a really bad day!

"When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families,  they wept until they could weep no more."  (1 Samuel 30:3,4)

But instead of allowing doubt to take root and eventually becoming a "valley dweller"  David gives us the answer to walking through our difficult seasons with his response to the tragedy.

So here it is, it's really deep and profound!

TALK TO GOD AND DO WHAT HE SAYS!   

"Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?”
And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely RECOVER EVERYTHING that was taken from you!"  (1 Samuel 30:8)

I don't know about you but my vision in the valley is often limited and shortsighted.  But when I talk to God and hear His voice I get a vision that is BEYOND my natural eye sight.

I get a "GOD" perspective that guides my way to RECOVERING EVERYTHING the enemy has stolen!

And that my friends brings us to a place of DREAMING.......AGAIN!  

Talking and listening to God!

Ken Woolf

GOD RESTORES

As we read the Bible we find that God RESTORES!  He loves taking broken people and RESTORING their lives to the beauty in which He created them for.

I love the this definition of the word restore!  

Restore- healing of a wound.  The new flesh that grows at the wounded spot.  Health, perfected, soundness, wholeness.  

 One of the most beautiful pictures of RESTORATION is found in the following Bible verses.

 “The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying:  “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.”  Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel.  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!"  (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

Do you feel marred in the hand of the potter?  Wounded in the hand of the potter?  Broken in the hand of the potter?  Damaged in the hand of the potter?  Cracked in the hand of potter?  

Were you sexually, physically or verbally abused as a child?   Wounded by a friend?   Wounded by a church, a pastor?   Abandoned by a mother or father?  Lost or broken dreams?  A divorce?  Have you  been raped?  Forsaken by a friend?   A broken marriage or ministry?  Rejected by others?   An abortion or a miscarriage?

Wounded in the hands of the Potter and you don't understand why?

 “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

The failures in life are never final!  Even though you're messed up you're still in the grip of the Potter!  

THREE LESSONS FROM THE POTTERS HOUSE

 I.  THE POTTERS POWER

God is powerful.  Nothing in your life is beyond His ability, His reach and His desire to restore and heal you!

 “He (Jesus) personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep  who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.”  (1 Peter 2:24-25)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;” (Psalms 23:1-3)

Is there an area of your life that is still wounded?

THE POTTER HAS THE POWER TO RESTORE!

II.  THE POTTERS PURPOSE

God always starts with the end in mind!  God has a vision for your life.  He has a plan and a purpose!

No matter how ugly our life seems, God takes us in His hand and loves us with an everlasting love!

 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

“But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles…..” (Galatians 1:15-16)

Even though you've been wounded, the Potter has a purpose for your life!  

 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”  (Philippians 1:6)

GOD NEVER QUITS ON YOU!  HE’S PURSUING YOU!

THE POTTER HAS A PURPOSE TO RESTORE YOU!

III.  THE POTTERS PROCESS

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Philippians 2:13)

The Potter has a process!

Jesus came looking for you!  He brought me out of the miry clay and He set my feet on the rock to stay!

HERE’S THE POINT!

STAY ON THE POTTER'S WHEEL!  THE POTTER HAS A PROCESS TO RESTORE YOUR LIFE!

Here’s what staying on the wheel looks like!

 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

 Are you marred in the Potter’s hands today?  Do you still feel wounded from the pain of the past?  

If the power, the purpose and the process is from God, what is my part?

TO CONSECRATE MYSELF!  

Consecration is a complete surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ.  We relinquish  everything to God!

The word consecrate means “to set apart.”  It means to be designated for a special purpose.  It means to be completely dedicated to God!

The Son of God, that was wounded so you can be restored, set the standard.  He gave all of himself at Calvary and He expects nothing less in return!

Consecration means we no longer call the shots.   God is the Potter and I am the clay.  I surrender my life to the Potter!

There's no pain that is greater than the Potter's power, purpose and process! Trust Him and you will soon be able to say "GOD RESTORES!"

Dreaming.......Again with the help of the Potter,

Ken Woolf

Refuge in the Storm

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

 

RE-God

The God of Relationships is longing to have a relationship with you!  A personal one on one connection that is then reflected in our relationships with other people.

We are given a glimpse of the character and nature of God as we read the Bible and we explore the life of Jesus Christ who said "if you've seen me, you've seen the Father."

Even though the horrific yet glorious work of the Cross could only be completed by the Son of God he was also known as the Son of Man and his kinship with those around him portrayed a Savior who longed to have relationships with created women and men!

When mentioning the creation of mankind we are reminded that God didn't work alone.  After all He is the God of Relationships.  "Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.."  (Genesis 1:26)

Why did the Founder of the earth create mankind?  He wanted a Family!  Yes the Author of relationships longs for a relationship with you!  

Are you lonely?  Are you sad from being alone?  That's because God didn't design you to be alone!

"Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper who is just right for him."  (Genesis 2:18)

As you read the scriptures communicating the marvelous work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in creating this earth and all its inhabitants, you see these words, "And God saw it was good."

But while surveying His creation God saw the man, who was alone, and said "it's not good."

When you think about it this is a rather shocking admission by God!  Adam enjoyed a sinless pure relationship with God yet the Divine Creator says "it's not good that you're alone Adam."  Or in other words, "Adam your connection with me is not the only connection you need."

So God creates Eve and through the pages of the days to come conveys this message, "you'll need one another."

And with this God transmits this truth.  Your relationship with others will be a direct reflection of your relationship Him!

"Anyone can say, “I love God,” yet have hatred toward another believer. This makes him a phony, because if you don’t love a brother or sister, whom you can see, how can you truly love God, whom you can’t see?  For he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also demonstrate love to others."   (1 John 4:20,21)

God is all about relationships.  In fact every significant transition in our ministry has come first through our relationship with God and then through a meaningful relationship with another person.  God puts a high value and priority on relationships.

I've stopped telling people they need to go to church.  Because they don't need to just "go to church."  We need to BE the church and connect with other believers in the family of God!

Yes, God has a family! His character and nature are best communicated to the world through His family on this earth!

Are you disconnected from God's family today!  Reconnect and experience the life, love and healing of our Heavenly Father that is imparted through those who are collectively connected to Him!  God's best for you will come through your connection to His church which is His family!

Are you lonely?  God gives His antidote for loneliness in this verse from the Bible.  "God places the lonely in families...."  (Psalm 68:6)

You were never meant to live life alone!  Me needs to become we because we are better together!

Encouraging others,

Ken

From Disappointment to Dreaming.....Again

It was one of those bittersweet moments but our hearts were filled with excitement.  Seven years ago today I preached my final message as Senior Pastor at New Life Church on the Rock in Vidor, Tx.

It was bitter because we were leaving a group of people we'd been doing life with for almost ten years.  A great church with many good friends.

It was sweet because we were stepping out to live the dream God had put in our hearts.  The dream to plant and pastor a church in Colorado.

Very long story short the church plant was an epic failure.  Many people try and tell me not to view it as a failure but yes, it was a failure!  I'll call it what it was in our hearts.

Without communicating all the gory details just trust me when I say my family and a few friends were devastated.   The overwhelming sense of failure led to depression, discouragement and disappointment.  How could we ever recover and be productive again in what God had called us to do?

We had some pretty awesome cheerleaders during this season,  along with a few critics.  But how was I ever going to win this battle in my mind for my mind?  Would we ever lead a church again?  Could God use us again?   Who out there would believe in us again?

WAS DREAMING.......AGAIN EVEN POSSIBLE?

Today, March 28, 2017, my family is once again leading and serving a great church!  ReGeneration Church in Wichita Falls, Tx.   Hey, we're even dreaming.......again,  along with a great congregation.

So how did I move from "Disappointment to Dreaming.......Again"?  Just a few big ideas that might help you or someone you know who's struggling with disappointment.

1.  God is still God and you have to trust Him.  Even if you "feel" like He let you down.  One of my favorite scriptures during our difficult season.  "O Lord, I give my life to you.  I trust in you, my God!.."  (Psalms 25:1,2)

2.  God still has a plan for your life.  BELIEVE IT!   "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."  (Philippians 1:6)

3.  If God still has a plan for your life, and He does, it's for your FUTURE!  Well it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.  Then why do so many people focus on their past instead of looking toward their future?  When all you can talk about is your memories then you're probably not dreaming about your future.  I didn't say you shouldn't think or talk about your memories, they can be precious.   But for some people a "memory" is all they have.  Start dreaming about the FUTURE God has for you!

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." (Philippians 3:13,14)

4.  God is working everything, the good, the bad,  and the ugly, out for YOUR GOOD.  You're not going to understand everything so stop trying and TRUST GOD!  He still has a plan for your life so look forward because He's working it all together for His glory and your good!

"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)

If you'll embrace these four big ideas I promise you'll leave disappointment city and start DREAMING.......AGAIN of all God can and will do in your life.

Encouraging people all over the world,
Ken Woolf

Done with Divisiveness

In my lifetime I can't remember the United States of America being more divided than it is right now.   It seems the "Divided" States of America would better describe our country!  Although we should never lose HOPE in GOD  knowing that He is able to heal and restore our land.  

God has a remedy for our brokenness and it's found in the following scripture from the Bible.

"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."  (2 Chronicles 7:14)

I love the promise of God in this verse that is contingent on the actions of HIS CHILDREN!  Humility, prayer, seeking God's presence, and turning from our wicked ways gets the attention of our Heavenly Father who in turn forgives our sins and restores health to our land!

Now my concern and subject of this blog.  I can't remember a time in my lifetime that the church, God's children, has been more divided.  It seems the same divisive political spirit has infiltrated and infected  the Body of Christ in many ways.

No longer is it about being a follower of Jesus Christ but we now identify ourselves with being a Democrat, Republican or Libertarian.

Whether or not I support our current President now decides how healthy our relationship will be instead of us coming together as Jesus supporters.

Let me remind you of a prayer of Jesus.

"I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." (John 17:21-23)

I think we need to take a stand and be "Done with Divisiveness" and be an answer to Jesus prayer!

I sincerely believe  the LOCAL CHURCH is the hope of the world.  We are the loving hands of God extended throughout our neighborhoods, cities and the whole world!

Two things I believe will bring the church together and bring us to a place of being Jesus Christ true representation in the earth.

1.  It's time for a "love one another" revival in the church.  How can we love a hurting world if we can't love one another?  

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”  (John 13:35)

2.  It's time for a "serve one another" revival in the church.

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love."  (Galatians 5:13)

Let's work together to get this political spirit out of the Body of Christ and be "Done with Divisiveness!"

A divided church is bad advertisement for a caring, loving God that sent his Son to the earth to die a horrible death on a cross.  

Make a choice today to not participate in the conversations that divide the FAMILY OF GOD.  Instead join me in a revival of love and serving one another!

I'm "Done with Divisiveness!"

Ken Woolf

  

A Purpose Greater than your Pain

"Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening."  (Acts 16:25)

If you quickly scan over this Bible verse you might think Paul and Silas had a prison ministry and were just visiting to lead a church service for the prisoners.

But a closer look reveals there were no late night visitors in the prison that night, only prisoners.  "...and the OTHER prisoners were listening."

Some previous verses give some perspective on the circumstances surrounding these two men who are turning what should be a pity party into a praise party.

"A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks."  (Acts 16:22-24)

I've often said that Paul and Silas could pray and praise from the dark depths of the dungeon because they may have been in prison but the prison was not IN them!

But I'd like to take it a step further in thought and present the big idea that these men praised instead of complained because their PURPOSE was greater than their PAIN!  Paul was known to communicate that God had "separated him from his mother womb" for a specific purpose!

Paul lived this life with a sense of  purpose that was greater than just him.  His life was all about OTHERS!  That GREATER PURPOSE was evident when after there was an earthquake and the prison doors swung open,  Paul and Silas remained in the prison and introduced the jailer to salvation through Jesus Christ which also led to the jailers family being born again!

Paul's PURPOSE was greater than His PAIN!

So it is during this season we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Jesus was born to die!  And His PURPOSE for coming to the earth was much greater than the pain He had to endure to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world!   Jesus gave His life for "OTHERS"!

Jesus PURPOSE was greater than His PAIN!

I'm thankful  not all of life is painful!  Living out the purpose for which God created you is both exciting and rewarding.  But for those moments of pain, let me remind you of your purpose.  Yes God was there when you were being formed in your mothers womb and He has a purpose for your live!

This life is about getting to know God, and discovering why he created you and put you on this earth and then using that purpose to make a difference in the life of OTHERS!  

When your PURPOSE becomes greater than your PAIN you can invite OTHERS to your praise party  and be involved in changing lives.  I promise you, it's both exciting and rewarding!

I'm praying for you!  I pray you'll be consumed with knowing God and the purpose  He created you for!  YOUR LIFE MATTERS!

Running the race to win,

PK