Kings Point Church of God

I appreciate you taking the time to read the blog. I love to write and appreciate the opportunity to comment on culture as well as proclaim the answer to culture – JESUS! I try to blog daily peppering it often with personal thoughts on lots of things. I also use the blog as another touch with the beautiful people that I serve at Kings Point. Thanks again for reading it when you can.

Great time of worship this morning. Our 8.30 am prayer time was a powerful time in the presence of the Lord. It really set the spiritual atmosphere for the morning. The ladies did a great job in the choir this morning. Praise and worship was great as well. The story about the mother of James and John, Silome, is an awesome example of woman who sought after the Lord. It was beautiful to see mothers and their children standing around the altar for prayer today.

Please keep the Eddie Gabbard family in your prayers as well as Pastor Larry and Carolyn Atwood. Be sure to bring a friend to Friend Day next Sunday. Begin praying now and inviting your friend to next Sunday's services.

Have a great week!

Pastor

Many Christians think God delights only in chastising and correcting us. Not so! The Bible tells us He takes no pleasure in disciplining us. On the contrary, Jesus says, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). He assures us, "I'll give you everything you need — because My heart is set on blessing you!"

Nowhere in the Bible do we find Jesus cursing anyone (the only thing He cursed was a fig tree). No preacher, apostle, prophet or shepherd in history ever blessed people more than Jesus did. He pronounced blessings everywhere He turned.

Consider the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are you who mourn. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are you if you hunger and thirst after righteousness. Blessed are the merciful, the peacemakers, the persecuted, the reviled." Everywhere Jesus turned He pronounced, "Blessed . . . blessed . . . blessed."

Jesus took children into His arms and blessed them. He blessed those who held feasts for the poor, crippled, lame and blind: "He lifted up his hands, and blessed them" (Luke 24:50).

It touches my heart deeply that Jesus' last words before He left His disciples were words of blessing. Luke says, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures" (Luke 24:45). And then ". . . he blessed them" (verse 51).

At this point you may be thinking, "I can understand how the Lord would bless children, or new converts, or even Christians in poor countries who need miracles just to have food. I can see how He would bless imprisoned believers in foreign countries, miraculously providing them with glorious revelations of Himself. But me? Well, I don't think I ever live up to the light I have received and I don't feel worthy of His blessings."

Beloved, I hope you understand by now that you will never be worthy of God's blessings. No one earns His blessings. Rather, He comes to us — strictly in His mercy and grace — and bestows on us spiritual blessings beyond our comprehension. - David Wilkerson

Great service this morning. I can't say I enjoyed preaching the message that the Lord gave me this morning "Where's the cry?" It wasa  convicting message...beginning with me. If you didn't hear it, I hope you get a chance to watch it here on our website.

The afternoon testimony service at the Women's Encounter was awesome. God did so many things in so many lives that I am sure it will take weeks to realize it all. My wife, Annette, and Judy Abbott, the Pastor's wife at Southlake Church of God in Hobart, Indiana, worked together to lead this year's encounter. Pastor Sam and Judy are precious people, choice servants.  We really appreciate the Southlake ladies serving as leaders this year.

Sister Joyce Dayton will begin a weekly post-encounters class with the ladies at Owensville Methodist who went through an encounter weekend back in March. Please join us as we hold up Sister Joyce and these ladies in our prayers.

Remember the men's encounter this weekend in prayer. We are expecting between 75 and 100 men from about ten different churches.

Have a great week!


Pastor Randy

What a wonderful celebration today. We remembered, we rejoiced, and we released Sister Debbie into the next season of her life. We at the same time today, set forth and released Fred and Chrissy Huntzinger into their season as Children's Ministers at KP. Lets all pray and support the Huntzingers and those that labor alongside them. Lets truly believe that the best is yet to come!

Thanks to everyone that came and honored Sister Debbie. Thanks to the Brumfields for joining us via Skype live from Phoenix. A big thanks to the staff and church leadership who worked so hard to make today such a big success. Thanks to Roger Jett and the boys for the sacrifices they made in allowing Debbie to do ministry all these years. Thanks to all of you for the cards, gifts, hugs, and kind words today for Sister Debbie. What a great day!

Have a wonderful week and lets get ready for two big encounter weekends!


Pastor

Great, great services today. Jeremy and the choir did a super job. Beautiful spirit today. When Pastor Ron Smith prayed the benediction, it was like people didn't want to leave. The worship, celebration, and praise just kept growing throughout the service. It was really beautiful.

Everyone have a blessed week!

Pastor

We had a great morning. I think everyone was pretty excited about the courtyard. Wow, does it look nice. Thanks to everyone that showed up to work Saturday. Special thanks to Mike Kilburn for purchasing all the mulch.

Great service this morning - "Judah First." Everyone that used the hearing assistance devices loved them. If you would like to buy your own, please let us know. We will let members buy their own and keep some there for people to use them that cannot afford to purchase their own and special guests.

Today was Fred and Chrissy's first service as Children's Worship Pastors. Everything went great. Fred and Chrissy shared their vision tonight and the Word of God. Expect great things to come in Children's Ministries at KP.

Annette and I visited a church on Region 11 tonight near Mount Orab called "Eastwood Community Church of God." Eastwood is Region 11's newest church pastored by Sister Lilly Hale Bradford and husband Bruce. Sister Lillie is an experienced pastor who is doing a great job there. About thirty people were in attendance tonight. Please pray for this church. They have a great vision to build a foundation for a young pastor to come in later and to build a great church.

There are 23 churches on Region 11. As most of you may know, I serve as the Region Elder and Annette serves as the Region Ladies Merea Leader. We are in the process of visiting churches and their respective pastors periodically in order to get to know them and to learn how we can serve them better. Please hold up these pastors in you prayer as we introduce them and there churches to you. Thanks so much!

Have a great week!


Pastor Randy

Great day of worship today. Really good services. This morning's report on the Owensville Encounter was so inspiring. Great job Debbie J., Joyce, D., Chrissy H., Revalee B., and Annette! Only heaven will tell the fruit that will come forth from this weekend.

Tonight's service was Alaska Bishop Charles Fiscer was great. What a powerful message on discipleship. Thank you KP for an offering of $679.

This week we start our Grow Groups. Please try to get involved in one! Also, our Businessmen's Luncheon is this Wednesday at 12 noon. Hope you make it gentlemen.

Have a great week!

Pastor Randy

What a great Lord's day! Today was Vision Sunday. I enjoyed recasting the vision today. I appreciate so many people completing Vision Surveys. We will review the surveys and do what we can to plug people into their desired ministries.

Tonight's brief business meeting and service that followed was awesome! The budget committee did a great job in presenting the budget led by Chairman Tim Johnson. A special thanks to Corina and Becky for their help as well. KP's missions giving this year is going through the roof! If you were there tonight you know that  over $11,800 has been given toward missions in the first six months of the 2011-12 fiscal year. Our missions giving for the entire 2010-2011 year was a little over $14,500 - which was a record year for Kings Point. Wow....Praise God!

The video we showed tonight about the  Harbinger Judgements was alarming to say the least. Ask anyone that saw it tonight. For you that didn't make it tonight, personally I believe you cannot afford to not see these videos or read about these judgements that are now being pronounced against America. I don't know what you were doing tonight that was so important to keep you from not seeing this  - but again, I'm telling you, you need to see this. Without seeing this, we will no doubt keep our heads in the sand as God's church and pretending like there's nothing wrong and everything will continue on like it has in the past. Sorry, you need to wake up - your fairy tale life is coming to an end.

We have one choice - to repent. Oh, God  please, may we repent!

Have a great week!


Pastor

This was a great weekend. Yesterday, KP hosted a funeral for a precious pastor's wife. Please remember Pastor Shannon as he and his family grieve over their great loss but her great gain.

KP ministered to nearly one hundred homeless people yesterday morning as well as nearly one hundred youth Saturday night at Thrive's Youth Rally. Pastor Josh preached a powerful message. Three young people received Christ. Praise God!

The presence of God was awesome in this morning's service. The Holy Spirit preached his word through his servant today. I only completed one point of five today. But I believe God got his message across!

Tonight, Brother Tim Orr preached a powerful, rich Word reminding us of our riches in Christ.

Thanks for coming and worshipping today KP!


Pastor Randy

Just some personal stuff today. Annette and I try to take the day off together on Fridays. We had a great day today. We went to the Salvation Army today...Miss Jan usually has some goodies for us.  Afterwards, we ran some errands and went to Annette's favorite place to eat - Chipolte. It's in my top five. Do I have a favorite? Not really. If they serve food, I like it.

Tonight, we have to go downtown to a ball game...it's a company outing for Annette's business. The Reds players are playing the Bengals players in basketball. Doesn't sound too exciting, but I guess I will be a good sport and go and make something fun out of it.

Last night Gabe, myself, and a nephew of Annette's went to Indy and watched the Pacers vs the New Jersey Nets. Can I really be frank here? I enjoyed being with Gabe and Drew, but watching a regular season NBA basketball game is pretty boring. It's way overpriced. The players are overpaid and under stimulated. And they have to hype it up before the game, in between the game, and after the game so that the people will come. I would much rather go see high school, college, or go to the Y and play myself.

Tomorrow I will fast, pray, study, and prepare for Sunday. Actually, more exciting than going to a Pacer game or watching the Bengals and Reds play basketball. Hope to see ya Sunday in God's house! Its going to be good - when God is present, you don't have to hype it up!

Blessings,

Pastor

Good services today.  I really enjoyed preaching this morning on Samson. We will take a break next week and then continue the Mighty and Misfits series February 26th.

Tonight, Brother Pendley preached a powerful message on Joseph. We had a good altar time tonight as well as this morning. We also prayed over Debbie Jett and Fred and Chrissy Huntzinger tonight. The Huntzingers will be serving under Sister Debbie until April 1, then they will oversee and direct the Sunday morning children ministries for a ninety day interim period.

Have a great week!

Pastor Randy

Well, the Giants just beat the Patriots again. Go Eli!

Great day today. Good services. Good crowd this morning in spite of having many families out this morning. Tonight we took six new families into church membership. Please lets continue to remember Sister Sandra Pendley in our prayers.

Everyone have a great week!

Pastor

A spiritual leader I know had a large congregation. Everything seemed fine until one of his top staff members—one of his key assistants—decided he could do things better. The assistant took more than 30 percent of the congregation and started his own work. Needless to say, it was a painful split. (When this type of thing occurs, questions are asked. The armchair quarterbacks begin their second-guessing: “If only the leader had been more connected with his staff, this wouldn’t have happened.” Or, “If only the leader had developed a better relationship with his congregation, such a large percentage wouldn’t have been susceptible to being pulled away.”)

After the split, the leader maintained his work with the part of the congregation that remained, and it was still a good-sized group. But the leader also decided to go ahead and pioneer a new work—another congregation in a different location. Like most new works, this one was small, very small in fact, but the leader saw great potential in this fledgling group. This time, a split did not occur. It was worse. This time, the leader lost his entire congregation. The leader later did some things that enabled him to recapture some of that lost congregation and to rebuild it even larger, but the whole process was not without and setbacks. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into the rebuilding process.

This first leader had a close relative who also went into the ministry. He had a true shepherd’s heart and was an excellent teacher. The Spirit’s Presence was with him in a remarkable way, and he got great results. However, he also faced challenges in his leadership. He had a lot of turnover—people came and went on a regular basis. He had retention problems, and on one occasion there was a mass exodus from his congregation. This leader also had challenges with his staff. His top staff members didn’t always get along well. They were competitive and had periodic arguments among themselves. It was later discovered that he had a staff member who was actually involved in embezzling ministry funds. He had another staff member who was known for being impulsive in both word and deed. This individual “lost it” one time under pressure and actually assaulted another person.

There are some questions I’d like you to consider:
• Would you want to work on the staff of one of the aforementioned leaders?
• Would you want to work for a leader who loses more than 30 percent of his congregation, then starts a new work and has the whole thing go under (at least temporarily)?
• Would you want to work for a leader whose staff doesn’t always get along well and where there’s a high turnover rate among the congregation?

Who are these leaders? The first leader I described is God the Father. The second leader is Jesus. I shared their history in a slightly veiled and disguised way on purpose. We would all agree that God the Father and Jesus are wonderful—perfect in every way. Yet they both encountered problems in their leadership. God’s archangel Lucifer rebelled against Him and took one-third of the angels.

Later, Adam and Eve (God’s second “congregation”) turned against God, and as the representative heads of the human race broke relationship and fellowship with Him. Of course, to say that Jesus’ disciples were rough around the edges is to put it mildly. Were the problems we described problems of leadership, or problems of follower-ship? Was it that God the Father and Jesus failed to exercise good leadership, or that others failed to exercise good follower-ship? Again, we know that God and Jesus are both perfect and infallible. Therefore, their leadership skills leave nothing to be desired. But good leadership can’t achieve optimum results without good follower-ship.[ Excerpt taken from  Tony Cooke's "In Search of Timothy."]

Good things are happening at KP in 2012.  Seriously, January was one of the greatest months we have experienced. Maybe not in attendance and financially, but spiritually and in ministry we flourished. The Businessmen's Luncheon, Plant 12 in 2012, 21 Days of Consecration, and now we have an opportunity to do a Women's Encounter at Owensville Methodist Church. God is enabling us to spread the vision to different groups...that's exciting to me!

Another highlight in January was KP taking the opportunity to help encourage and strengthen some smaller churches around us. Pastors Sam and Mary Beth Garner brought there church over to join us in worship one night. Not only were we able to give them a great offering but we were able to continue to minister to the Garners through ministry and fellowship in the weeks to come. We also were able to give a much needed financial gift to the Rock of Refuge Hispanic church. Finally, we also worshipped with Lighthouse Fellowship and blessed them too with a financial love gift. As you know, this church has a powerful presence in downtown Cincinnati where the needs are great.

This is only the surface of all that God did in January. What a great start to 2012. A big thank you to everyone that came out to the 21 Days of Consecration. Lets keep it going in February!

Pastor

I just got in from the hospital visiting Margaret Pelfrey.  God has been healing Margaret since she came into the hospital Friday evening. I thought she looked really good. Please keep her in your prayers. She should be getting out of the hospital tomorrow.

As I mentioned this morning, we have many people that we need to remember in our prayers. Becky Bishop's mother, Elizabeth,  did pass way this evening. Please remember Becky and her brothers and sister in your prayers. We will be sending out funeral visitation information sometime tomorrow.

Also, pray for Pastor Ron Smith, Carol Georgiton, Dolly Jett, Stella Short, and Verneda Maloney.

Great services today. Tonight's showing of "Courageous" was an awesome time. What a powerful movie and message. Raising up Spiritual Fathers and Spiritual Sons is a theme of ours this year at KP. You will be hearing more in the weeks to come.

•  He sold over 45 million albums, had 38 Top 40 hits and appeared in more than 12 Hollywood movies.
•  According to Billboard, Boone was the second biggest charting artist of the late 1950s just behind Elvis Presley.
• He still holds the Billboard record for spending 220 consecutive weeks on the charts with one or more songs each week.

The Boone’s have been married 59 years, which is an eternity in Hollywood. Marveling over that major milestone we asked what is the secret. Shirley without hesitation rattled off five things it takes to have a marriage that endures time. Wouldn’t it be great if I could remember? I thought it was such great advice that when I got back to the room I wrote it down.

1. Pray always
2. Love unconditionally
3. Forgive completely
4. Laugh un-controllably
5. Work tirelessly

Sunday's message was entitled "Bigger Baskets."  If you missed it, you need to hear it. As mentioned Sunday, KP Plant 12 in 2012 Partners planted a church in Cuba this month. In other words, through our financial support a church planter will now be able to launch his church plant in Cuba beginning immediately. Fifty full gospel, Spirit-filled pastors are waiting for financial support now ready to begin their church plant - 49 now.

Next month, we will plant a church in China. If you would like to partner with us, go to the "give" page on this website and after registering click on the "Plant 12 in 2012" fund. From there, just put in your amount. Its that easy!

Tomorrow we will launch our Businessmen's Luncheon ministry. For our first one, we have a really nice crowd of men signed up to attend including many businessmen in the area. Of course, our objective is to share the gospel with men. Please join us in prayer for this new, exciting ministry!

Pastor

Even though the ice kept some people away Sunday morning, we had a wonderful service. There was great liberty in the service. The Lord released me to preach a message called "Bigger Baskets" that he gave me weeks ago. It was a fun message to preach. At the close of the message, I was impressed with nearly 100 percent of the church coning forward committing to trust him with "bigger baskets"  to fill in 2012.

Sunday night was great! We had a communion service in the sanctuary while the youth relaunched Thrive 2.0 in the fellowship hall. Over forty students attended the service where two received Christ as Lord and Savior. Afterwards, 4Trinity and Burning Bush, both rap artists, put on concerts in the newly renovated fellowship hall. It looks great! Super job by Josh and Krista Burgess in leading the renovation efforts.

I don't know who had a better time during the rap concerts, the students or the adults. I seen some dance moves from some adults that looked painful...just kidding. Everyone had a good time worshipping and having a great time of fellowship. What a great day!

Pastor

What a great, great three weeks we have shared together as a KP family. Looking back this morning, the climb has been long but worth it. God has done so many great things in lives as we have come together the past three weeks. As a body of Christ, I don't think we will ever know all that God has done this past nineteen days as we have worshipped together. Its been rich and fulfilling!

This weekend we will close out our 21 days of Consecration with a great Lord's Day together. Pastor Josh and Krista have been working hard leading the charge for the big Thrive relaunch this weekend. Burning Bush will be concert Sunday evening at 7.30 pm. Everyone is invited to this Thrive event. Please come and see the new stage, lights, sound booth, and all the other stuff that will make up the Thrive Worship Center. You will feel young again!

Its be a great Sunday! Come ready to experience the power and presence of Almighty God!


Pastor Randy

Great day of worship.  Tonight's service was really good. Pastor Winkler preached a powerful message. It was great to worship together with the Lighthouse Fellowship church. Lighthouse is a very strong church. Patrick and Kim have done a wonderful job planting and leading this church.  It was a honor to have their beautiful congregation with us tonight.

Be sure to join us beginning Tuesday through Thursday evening at 6.30 pm.  Pastor Sam Garner from the Blue Ash Church of God will be ministering Tuesday evening.

Have a great week!


Pastor

The prayer meetings this week so far have been good stuff. We have had two different crowds for each one. But both couples, Dave and Joyce, and Tim and Teresa; have done a great job leading us. Last night's emphasis on marriages and families should be a prayer priority in the church today. However, I am afraid the need to pray for marriages in the local body is being neglected...and it shows. As a pastor, it has been my observation that one of the most trying periods in many marriages happens with couples in their thirties. There is just a great deal of pressure on married couples today like never before. Please make a point of praying for married couples when God brings them to your mind. Don't look for red flags before you will pray. Just pray for them when they come to mind...God will honor, hear, and answer your prayers.

This week as you come to prayer, we are taking time to nail prayer needs to the cross. I encourage the KP body to go to the cross often throughout 2012 and pray over these needs. The "old rugged cross" is still the answer!

I appreciate Fred preaching for me Sunday evening. Still battling the cold thing. Thanks for the prayers everyone. Have a great week!

Pastor

"For me to live is Christ."
Philippians 1:21

From the moment we confessed our sins and the Holy Spirit came in and changed us, we began to live in Christ Jesus. Jesus is to us the one pearl of great price, for whom we are willing to part with all that we have. He has so completely won our love, that our heart beats alone for Him only; to His glory we would live, and in defence of His gospel we would die; He is the pattern of our life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character. Paul's words mean more than most men think; they imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ - his life itself was Jesus.

Wow, I don't know about you, but I feel so far from that reality. When I read our text recently, my first reaction was to repent and confess that times I live for me - not Christ. I pray that God would help me to die to Randy and this world daily and to live in Christ. How about you? Is your life in Christ?

See ya Sunday!

Pastor

Public Bible reading has really been good this week. Its sad that there isn't a greater love for the Word of God in the church today. I had a seminary professor tell me once that years ago he would teach in the classroom Monday through Friday and on Saturdays he would teach God's Word in a local church where a great crowd would gather to study. He said today churches won't even consider such classes saying people are too busy to attend.

Unfortunately most churches and Christians have never heard of just coming together to read God's Word publicly even though Paul told Timothy "Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them " (I Timothy 4:13).

One thing I have really enjoyed this week is young children reading the scriptures. Another highlight for me is watching everyone follow along in their bibles as we together take turns reading the scriptures. It really is very intimate and a great exercise in unity.

Overall, after three consective nights of reading the scriptures, I really feel that my generation and the one after me has missed out. We have let television, and other forms of entertainment rob us of so many blessings and opportunities to grow our faith and as the body of Christ ("...faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Word of God, " Romans 10:17).

But I am not giving up. Maybe we are establishing a new trend in the church. Hopefully, one day we will be so hungry for God that Christians will desire to come together just to hear the raw Word of God.

Blessings,

Pastgor

Here they are...

1) Beginning today, I predict I will make out a check and put 2011 instead of 2012.

2) I predict the Indianapolis Colts will not go the Super Bowl in 2012 but will secure the number one pick in the NFL draft.

3) I predict I will not make a million dollars in 2012.

4) I predict I will love God, my wife, my family, my church family, and others as the Lord enables me in 2012.

5) I predict I will get back to 200 pounds or below for the first time in 22 years in 2012 (Wow...I will have to work at that one!).

6) I predict the national media will make it very, very difficult to defeat President Obama in 2012 election.

7) I predict we will see more and more national disasters in 2012.

8) I predict I will give more to planting churches around the world (Surge) in 2012.

9) I predict I will be a better pastor, husband, and dad in 2012.

10) I predict all of these predictions will come true as God wills.

This is a great word from David Wilkerson. I hope you receive as much from it as I did. Make it a wonderful last week of 2011!

Pastor

People who have endured suffering and proven God to be faithful are strong, mellow and patient. They have the gentleness of Christ. I love to be around such people! They encourage my spirit!
You will come through your trial and be of great help to others if you will trust God through it! You will see it happen on your job, in your family, in your church. People will be attracted to you because they know what you have gone through and they have seen you gain the victory through the power of God alone!
Many believers who suffer never learn anything from it. As a result, they never know God as their comforter or consoler. To hear them talk, you would think God was hard, spiteful, uncaring. They ask, “Why me?” Then they doubt God’s love and begin to turn away from Him. They moan, groan and murmur, and all their joy fades. Soon they grow bitter and hard.
I have a pastor friend who for years had a very successful ministry to troubled people. But today he is deep in sin, drug-addicted and totally backslidden. His wife left him and he has taken up with a drug-addicted woman.
When you ask him what happened, he blames it all on how others let him down. His wife left him; God didn’t answer his prayers; other ministers disappointed him. He says, “I really tried, but I just couldn’t take it. There were too many pressures and there were so many hypocrites. I was misjudged and I couldn’t handle that.”
The apostle Paul, even in the worst hour of his sufferings, blessed the name of the Lord. He knew the Father was full of mercy and the Source of all his comfort. He did not question God or become bitter; in fact, he praised Him in the midst of it all!
The best teachers in any church are not the ones in the pulpit. Rather, they are sitting in the pews right next to you—people who have suffered and yet still worship the Lord. The language of those who learn through suffering is praise!

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