God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Handle

God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Handle.

You see it on refrigerator magnets. You read it on bumper stickers. It’s printed on greeting cards, over and over again. Well-meaning Christians will say, It’s going to be all right. Everything happens for a reason. Don’t give up. You can do it. You can make it. God will never give you more than you can handle. God will never, ever give you more than you can handle. The problem is, scripture never says that. It is a spiritual myth.

So where do we get this wrong belief? Well, chances are very good, most people are confusing another very important verse in scripture. The apostle Paul addressing a Corinthian congregation that has been struggling with sexual sin says this about God. ”And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Scripture NEVER SAYS that God will never give us more than we can handle.

Scripture DOES say that God will never let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. No matter what Satan throws your way, whatever temptation to take you out of the will of God to destroy your life, God will always give you an escape. When you are tempted to sin…God will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. God is faithful. He will always give you a way to escape Satan’s temptations.

The truth is when we are talking about the burdens in life, God WILL often allow you to have far more than you can handle on your own. Tomorrow we will find out why.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

A Tradition Unlike Any Other

Played for the first time in 1934, the Masters Tournament will celebrate its 80th edition this week at Augusta National Golf Club. This week will mark the only opportunity some will have to ever walk this breathtakingly beautiful golf course that has symbolized the game at its best. My brother Eddie attended in 2013 and he says “the course looked like a little bit of heaven” and I know at least one other family who is there right now in Augusta Georgia experiencing, as the trademarked slogan goes, “A tradition unlike any other”.

Bobby Jones, club co-founder, stated at the club’s opening in 1933, “Our overall aim at the Augusta National has been to provide a golf course of considerable natural beauty, enjoyable for the average golfer and at the same time testing for the expert player striving to better par.” To master the game of golf it takes more than time, talent, and technique; it takes thought. Bobby Jones flatly stated, “Golf is a game played on a five-inch course – the distance between your ears.”

While we may never get to play in the Masters Tournament, or even attend the event, there is a “Master” that we can know– Jesus Christ. Throughout the New Testament the term “Master” is utilized in connection with Jesus; the term “Lord” is also applied in the same manner. Jesus is to be the Master/Lord of our lives.

As followers we don’t simply believe a statement of faith but willingly give him our lives saying, much like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane when he cried out to his heavenly Father, “not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42.

Jesus warned of those who merely give “lip service” to his Lordship when he stated, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

Who is the Master of your life? Who is your Lord? I want to encourage you to live out daily a tradition unlike no other… Following THE Master.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

It’s not too late to attend this weekend’s “Divinely Designed” Women’s Conference.

Registration begins TONIGHT, Friday at 5:30pm with the first session beginning at 7PM. Contact Danielle Branaman at danielle.branaman@gmail.com or call 785 625-LIVE.

Sharon Glasgow to Speak at This Weekend’s Women’s Conference

Sharon Glasgow is an international speaker who has touched thousands with her contagious love for Christ. She is a master storyteller and communicator compelling her audience to walk in the power of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Word streams from her like rivers of living water; refreshing, reviving and revealing the greater mysteries of God. Sharon has a love for her audience that is fully evident both on and off stage. She is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaking team, a contributing author for The Reason We Speak, God’s Purpose for every Woman and has been featured in P31 Woman magazine. She has been a guest on the Rejoice Show and appeared on the 700 Club. We are blessed to have Sharon share with us at C3 this Friday and Saturday.

Here is what some others have said about Sharon Glasgow:

“Sharon Glasgow exudes energy and a strong stage presence in front of her audience. She is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever heard! I strongly recommend Sharon as a speaker for any even that wants lives to be radically changed. Her faith is strong in the Lord, and it is evident that He is her passion!”
-- Florence Littauer, Speaker and author

“Sharon is a gifted speaker and a dynamic Christian. She has a great sense of humor that radiates as she speaks. She has wonderful insights into God’s Word and makes application of Biblical truths to her audience.”
-- Dick Harmon, Pastor, Mount Ararat Church

I encourage every woman to attend this weekend’s “Divinely Designed” Women’s Conference. Registration begins this Friday at 5:30pm with the first session beginning at 7PM. Contact Danielle Branaman at danielle.branaman@gmail.com for any questions.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

I’ve Got Baseball Fever

Monday night was the opening game of the 2016 season for my favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. Baseball has long been known as our national pastime and it also provides the most athletic metaphors in the English language. Whether or not you are a fan, we ALL speak baseballese just about every day, and all year round.

Here are a dozen examples I have used:

1. We're not making a bit of progress with this project. We can't even get to first base.
2. Your theology is off the wall. You're way out there in left field.
3. Some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, while others are born with two strikes against them.
4. Everybody's so enthusiastic about your proposal. You just hit a home run.
5. I know you can't give me an exact price, but can you give me a ballpark figure?
6. Chris Matthews of MSNBC is so serious, the name of his show is Hardball.
7. On Broadway, the new musical "Hamilton” is a smash hit.
8. I promise I'll consult you before I make any decisions. I'll be sure to touch base with you.
9. I can't meet you today, but can I take a rain check?
10. Let's act quickly tomorrow. Let's do it right off the bat in the morning.
11. Melissa McCarthy is such a wild and wacky woman – she’s a real screwball.
12. When I can’t preach I might ask Pastor Derek to pinch hit for me.

Yes, we use baseball metaphors a lot. Even in christianspeak we talk about “sacrifice”, relief pitchers getting credit for a “save” and the object of the hitter is to make it to our heavenly “home”.

God loves you, sent his Son Jesus to die for you and has been thinking of you and baseball since that start of creation because of course it was, “In the BIG INNING God created the heaven and the earth”. Genesis 1:1 ☺

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

It’s NOT TOO LATE to come to C3’s Women’s Conference THIS Friday/Saturday. Doors open Friday night at 5:30pm with the conference starting at 7pm. Saturday breakfast is available 8-8:45am with the conference starting at 9am.

$50 (includes breakfast and lunch Saturday).

Here is a direct link to the online registration! https://celebration.ccbchurch.com/form_response.php?id=40

March (and April) Madness

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Many of us have been enjoying watching March Madness, (which interestingly is now ending in April), the annual NCAA basketball tournament. This year’s tournament that started with 68 teams came down to a Final Four last weekend and then there were two, North Carolina and Villanova who competed last night for the championship.

In the NCAA Tournament it's "do or die" for every team. Win and move on — lose and be done. The season is at stake with no second chances. This inescapable fact loads every game weight and consequence. Everyone gives it all they've got, because it might be their last chance of the season.

Thankfully our God is a God of second chances. Because God loves us so much, He gave us a second chance (and third, fourth, fifth…) by sending His own Son. Most Christians I've ever known are obviously thankful for this basic truth. But today I challenge you to live like you are in tournament mode.

Don’t ever take for granted God's grace and mercy. Have you ever faced a temptation and fallen into sin partly because, in your mind, you were thinking something like "Oh, God will forgive me if I mess up just this once … after all, He loves me unconditionally"? Do you ever take second chances for granted?

Don't let God's unconditional love be a mental excuse to slack off. Live life more like March Madness. After all, if we really understand what the cross meant in terms of love, grace and second chances, we'd do nothing less than giving our very best, playing with a passion that will not give up or give in.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

Victory Christian Academy is having an Open House TONIGHT Tuesday April 5^th at 6:30pm. At the Open House you will have an opportunity to meet the staff, review the curriculum and ask about V.C.A.’s small class sizes, affordable tuition and character building Christian values. IF YOU CALL CELEBRATION COMMUNITY CHURCH YOUR HOME… I cannot understand why you would not enroll your pre-school through 5^th grade student in VCA.

COME FIND OUT MORE TONIGHT!!!

What a Great Weekend at C3

This last weekend Celebration Community Church launched its inaugural Saturday evening service with over 150 adults and children in attendance. We also baptized 21 believers between our 5 weekend services.

When I am asked, HOW people should be baptized I always refer to the Bible and to the origins of the word “baptize”. “Baptizo” is a Greek word which means “to submerge in water.” Therefore, baptism by sprinkling or by pouring is an oxymoron, something that is self-contradictory. Baptism by sprinkling would erroneously mean “submerging someone in water by sprinkling water on them.” Baptism, according to the Bible should be an act of immersion in water.

Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life”. Romans 6:3-4.

The action of being immersed in the water brings to mind dying and being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water models Christ’s resurrection. As a result, baptism by immersion is the only method of baptism which illustrates being buried with Christ and being raised with Him. Baptism by sprinkling and/or pouring came into practice as a result of the unbiblical practice of infant baptism.

Baptism by immersion, while it is the most biblical mode of identifying with Christ, is not a prerequisite for salvation. It is rather an act of obedience, a public proclamation of faith in Christ and identification with Him. Baptism is a picture of our leaving our old life and becoming a new creation.

Congratulations to the 21 believers who were baptized at C3 this weekend!

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

P.S. Thank you Doug Folland for filling up and draining C3’s baptisteries for the last 15 years!

April Fool for Christ

Did you know that April Fools’ Day is celebrated in many countries? The custom of playing practical jokes on friends has been part of our traditional celebration dating as far back as ancient Rome. It is said to be related to the vernal equinox and the coming of spring - the time when nature fools us with the sudden changes between showers and sunshine. (Ain’t THAT the truth in Kansas)

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul took on the so-called wise philosophers of Athens and in his God-given wisdom, he understood that it wasn't about winning the argument, or even sounding intelligent. His goal was to speak God's truth and let the Lord work on people's hearts and minds.

"Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." – 1 Corinthians 1:20-21, 27

Paul knew that "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing" - those who don't know Christ don't "get" what's so earth-shattering about the Gospel. Yet "to us who are being saved it is the power of God," 1 Cor. 1:18

This kind of foolishness is far more incredible than anything Plato could dream up or Shakespeare could scribe. This comes from the mind of God Himself.

“We are fools for Christ”... (1 Cor. 4:10a)

Your pastor and partner in being a fool for Christ,

Kyle

Believers Baptisms after ALL of our 5 Weekend Services.

Register on C3Hays app at “Connect” or “RSVP”.