RTTBROS

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." -Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

Our thoughts have incredible power to shape our lives. The Bible tells us that as a person thinks in their heart, so they are. In other words, our inner thought life determines the course and quality of our outer lives.

The Israelites are a prime example. After being miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, their minds remained imprisoned by negative thinking. Despite God's daily supernatural provision, they grumbled and complained, viewing their circumstances through the lens of lack and limitation.

How often do we fall into the same trap? We face each day thinking "I have to go to work" or "I have to deal with this problem" rather than "I get to use my abilities to provide for my family" and "I have an opportunity to grow and overcome challenges."

When we change our perspective, we change our reality. Choosing to think hope-filled, positive thoughts aligns us with God's goodness and primes us to receive His blessings. As Jesus said, "According to your faith be it unto you." (Matthew 9:29)

Today, refuse to be held captive by negative thought patterns. Win the battle in your mind by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Fix your thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). As you transform your thinking, expect to see your life transformed!

Let's pray: "Lord, forgive me for negative thoughts that have held me back. I choose to think as You think - thoughts of hope and blessing. Renew my mind and help me view my life through eyes of faith. In Jesus' name, Amen."

God Of All Comfort #nightlight #RTTBROS
Verse:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV) - "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

Devotion:
In this fallen world, we all face trials, tribulations, and suffering. As Christians, we are not exempt from these challenges. Even the Apostle Paul, a chosen vessel of God, endured immense hardships, including beatings, shipwrecks, and persecution. However, Paul understood that his suffering had a purpose – to bring comfort to others who were going through similar trials.

Just as Paul received comfort from God during his afflictions, we too can find solace in the Lord. God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He is with us in our darkest moments, providing strength, peace, and hope. When we turn to Him in prayer and trust in His unfailing love, He will guide us through the valleys and lead us to green pastures (Psalm 23:2-4).

Moreover, our suffering is not in vain. God uses our experiences to mold us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. As we navigate through the fires of adversity, the impurities in our lives rise to the surface, allowing us to repent and grow in faith. Just as a silversmith refines silver until he can see his reflection in it, God refines us until we reflect His character.

Furthermore, our trials equip us to minister to others who are hurting. By sharing the comfort we have received from God, we become a living testimony of His grace and mercy. Our stories of overcoming become a handbook of deliverance for those who are struggling. As we come alongside them with empathy and understanding, we point them to the ultimate source of comfort – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So, let us not lose heart when faced with tribulations. Instead, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). May we allow God to use our suffering for His glory and the edification of His people. And may we always be ready to extend the same comfort we have received to those in need, knowing that our God is the God of all comfort.

The New Tool #RTTBROS #NIGHTLIGHT

Scripture: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30, KJV)

Devotion: In this passage, Jesus extends a loving invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Life in this fallen world is full of trials, hardships, and heavy loads that can exhaust us physically, mentally, and spiritually. But Jesus tells us to come to Him to find rest.

When we come to Jesus in faith, He doesn't remove all our burdens, but He gives us a new "yoke" - His yoke. In ancient times, a yoke was a wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two animals to help them work together in pulling a load. Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. When we are yoked together with Him, He carries the weight and guides us.

What makes Jesus' yoke easy is that He is "meek and lowly in heart." He is gentle, humble, and understanding. He knows our weaknesses and limitations. When we walk closely with Him and learn from Him, we find rest for our souls even in the midst of life's burdens.

Being yoked with Jesus doesn't mean a trouble-free life, but it means facing troubles with His strength, guidance and companionship. It's a shared burden and a shared journey. May we accept Jesus' invitation daily to cast our cares on Him and find rest in relationship with Him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your incredible invitation to find rest for my soul. Forgive me for trying to carry my burdens in my own strength. I come to You now, weary and heavy-laden, and ask You to yoke me together with Yourself. Teach me Your ways and help me to walk in step with You. Thank You for Your gentleness, Your understanding, and Your sustaining presence. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Real Love

Verse: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;" - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (KJV)

In my recent sermon on 1 Corinthians 13, I explored the true meaning of love as described in this powerful passage. I emphasized that love, or charity as it is called in the King James Version, is more than just a feeling - it is a way of life that reflects the very nature of God.

I noted how we often use the word "love" carelessly in our daily lives, applying it to everything from our favorite possessions to the people closest to us. However, the Bible presents a much deeper understanding of love. The Greek word used in this passage is "agape" - a selfless, sacrificial love that comes from God Himself.

True love, as I explained, is patient and kind. It does not envy others or boast about itself. Love honors others and seeks their good above its own. It is slow to anger and quick to forgive. These characteristics may seem impossible to live out in our own strength, but they are the fruit of a life transformed by God's love.

Through this message, I challenged my listeners to examine their own hearts and actions. Are we loving others with the same sacrificial, unconditional love that God has shown us? Or are we more concerned with our own comfort and desires?

As we meditate on this timeless passage, my prayer is that we would be inspired to love others as Christ has loved us. In a world filled with division and strife, may our lives be marked by the radical, transformative power of God's agape love.

The Arena

Hearing God's Voice in the Last Days. #Nightlight #NormanKissinger #NK #RTTBROS


Verse: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" - Acts 2:17 (KJV)


Devotion:

In the last days, God has promised to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, enabling believers to hear His voice and know His will for their lives. As the passage in Acts 2:17-18 states, this outpouring is not limited by age, gender, or social status. God desires to speak to each one of us more than we desire to hear from Him.


While the Bible provides principles for making decisions, it does not always give specific answers to questions like which college to attend, which car to buy, or whom to marry. In these situations, we must learn to discern God's voice and follow His leading.


Two fundamental principles for hearing God's voice are:


1. Follow the written rules - God's Word should always be our primary guide.

2. Follow our last order first - Obey what we already know God has spoken to us about doing.


God may speak to us through various means, such as dreams, visions, or thoughts impressed upon our minds. However, it is essential to test these experiences against Scripture and ensure they align with what we already know to be God's will.


Hearing God's voice is vital for the times we live in. As we seek His guidance and obey His leading, we can be effective in the ministries and tasks He has called us to do. Let us commit to spending time in prayer and in His Word, cultivating a listening heart that is attentive to His voice.

Transformed, Not Conformed #RTTBROS #nightlight #normankissinger #NK

Verse: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:2 (KJV)

In this devotion, the speaker discusses the critical difference between repentance and compliance. Many parents have experienced their children professing faith when they were younger, only to find them living away from the Lord as they grew older. This raises the question: Is it enough for someone to merely change their outward behavior, or is a genuine heart transformation necessary?

The Apostle Paul states that people will either be transformed by the power of Jesus Christ or continue to conform to the world's standards. It is easy for teachers of the Gospel to assume that outward changes indicate an inward transformation, but this is not always the case. People can conform to a church, a cult, or a certain way of thinking without truly being changed by Christ from the inside out.

As workers in the gospel, it is crucial to understand, teach, and proclaim the difference between transformation and conformation. The Christian life is about being transformed into the image of the Holy God, as demonstrated in the life of Christ, rather than simply acting like a good churchgoer.

In every age, there have been conformations both in the church and in the world, with people following different groups or ways of thinking. However, it is transformation that is necessary to save America and the church as we move into the end times. Let us strive for genuine heart change through the power of Christ, rather than mere outward compliance.

Joy Miner #RTTBROS #Nightlight
1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV - 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Philosopher's corner enter your own risk....

You were warned.....

Still here?....

My friend that I'm doing a funeral for had a blood disease that required an infusion of platelets and Iron, two times a week for 4 hours each visit at Mountain States Tumor Institute for the last 16 years. The amazing thing about Johnny was that he had the ability to have a happy Spirit even in the midst of a lifelong battle with a debilitating disease. He could often be heard singing and whistling as he made his way through his day. As I've been thinking back over his life and looking at mine I sometimes find myself feeling sorry for myself over some difficult issue that's in my life. But I'm realizing that if we wait until everything is perfect in our life to find joy and happiness we will never find those things. A miner must move mountains of Earth before he finds ounces of gold. Perhaps we need to move aside the problems of our life and look for the happiness and joy that is all around us. but we tend not to see because we haven't done the work of moving the problems aside.

I would wager that no matter how difficult you find your life right now there's probably somebody within your network of friends and family that has things far worse than you. Perhaps just for today we can be thankful for this day and the joy and happiness that is within it. Just some random thoughts about living life with gratitude and expectancy.

Here is a synopsis of my Easter Sermon
Title: The Power of the Resurrection: Transforming Fear into Faith

As I reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I am reminded that it is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. It's the event that sets Christianity apart from all other religions and gives us hope in the face of death. In my Easter sermon, I explored the significance of Good Friday and Easter, the historical evidence for the resurrection, its impact on the world, and how it should transform the way we live.

I began by emphasizing that Good Friday and Easter are inseparable events. Without Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, his resurrection would lose its meaning. The crucifixion was the moment when Jesus paid the debt for our sins, and the resurrection was the proof that his payment was accepted. The empty tomb is a symbol of the hope we have in Christ.

Next, I dove into the historical evidence for the resurrection, citing eyewitness accounts recorded in 1 Corinthians 15 and the Gospel narratives. I compared believing in the resurrection to believing in other historical events based on reliable testimony. The fact that the apostles were willing to die for their belief in the risen Christ is a powerful indication that the resurrection really happened. I also pointed out that the world would be radically different if the resurrection had never occurred. The positive impact of Christianity on education, healthcare, charity, and justice throughout history is a testament to the transformative power of the resurrection.

I then shifted to discussing how the resurrection should change the way we view life and death. For believers, death is not the end but a transition to eternal life in God's presence. I compared death to a wedding, a homecoming, a banquet, and a graduation. Just as a bride is beautiful on her wedding day, we will one day be presented as a spotless bride to Christ. Just as a graduation marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, death is the doorway to a new life with God. I emphasized that only those who have put their faith in Christ have this assurance of eternal life.

Finally, I encouraged my listeners to live in light of the resurrection. Because of Christ's victory over death, we no longer need to fear the grave. We can have confidence that our labor for the Lord is not in vain, and we can share the message of hope with a lost and hurting world. I concluded with a prayer for steadfastness and boldness in serving Christ.

In a world that often feels uncertain and chaotic, the resurrection of Jesus Christ offers us an unshakable foundation for our lives. It assures us that death is not the end and that we have a living hope. As we reflect on the significance of Good Friday and Easter, may we be filled with gratitude for Christ's sacrifice and inspired to live each day in the power of his resurrection.

Pastoral Prayer March 2024 #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Taken You Out #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Having the Mind of Christ #nightlight #NK #RTTBROS #normankissinger

Verse: "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 2:16 (KJV)

As believers, we have been given an incredible privilege - access to the mind of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can understand God's will and the thoughts of Christ. This is a mystery that we may not fully comprehend, but we can trust that the Holy Spirit is glorifying the Father and the Son in our lives and speaking on their behalf.

As humans, our default is to struggle with the desires of the flesh. However, as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to wage war against these desires in our minds and hearts. With the mind of Christ, we can know what Christ is thinking about an issue and, therefore, know what to do. By staying close to God through His Word and prayer, we can better understand how Christ would respond to various situations.

When we are intimately connected with someone, such as a spouse, we often know their preferences and thoughts without even asking. Similarly, the more we listen to, read, and study God's Word, the more we will understand how Christ would think about different issues. This understanding allows us to minister to others more effectively and respond to day-to-day situations in a way that aligns with Christ's mind.

As we rejoice in this wonderful privilege of having the mind of Christ, let us commit to staying connected to Him through His Word and prayer. By doing so, we can live more effective lives and minister to others in a way that brings glory to God.

The therapeutic value of prayer again. Philippians 4:6-7 by Norman Kissinger#Nightlight#RTTBROS

Normankissinger video on phone


"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, KJV)


In this familiar passage from Philippians, the Apostle Paul encourages us not to be anxious, but to bring all our concerns to God in prayer, with a heart of thanksgiving. When we earnestly cry out to the Lord, even about problems that seem unsolvable from our limited perspective, He promises to guard our hearts and minds with His supernatural peace.


While prayer is not merely a therapeutic exercise for our own emotional wellbeing, pouring out our hearts before God does have a profound impact on our mental and spiritual health. Even scientific research affirms that those with a vibrant faith and consistent involvement in a church community are far less likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, and other issues.


Though we may not always receive the answers we hope for, we can trust that as we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). In His presence, fears are calmed, burdens are lifted, and we gain an eternal perspective on the trials of this life.


So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16), casting all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). May our hearts find rest in Him alone

Set Your Standards Dan 1:8 #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Power of Setting Standards


Daniel 1:8 (KJV) - "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."



In life, we are constantly faced with choices that can either lead us closer to God or further away from Him. Just as we set a speed limit on our car's cruise control to prevent accidents and maintain a safe journey, we must also set standards in our lives to guard against spiritual danger and remain faithful to God.


In the book of Daniel, we see a powerful example of setting godly standards. Daniel and his friends were taken captive to Babylon, where they were pressured to conform to the customs and practices of the pagan culture. However, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's food and wine. He set a standard for himself based on his commitment to God's laws and his desire to remain pure.


Like Daniel, we must be intentional about setting standards in our lives that align with God's Word. These standards act as boundaries that protect us from compromising our faith and falling into temptation. When we establish clear guidelines for our behavior, thoughts, and actions, we create a safer path for our spiritual journey.


Setting standards requires courage and determination. It may mean going against the flow of popular culture or facing opposition from others who don't share our values. However, when we purpose in our hearts to live according to God's standards, He gives us the strength and wisdom to stand firm.


Just as cruise control helps us maintain a consistent speed on the highway, our spiritual standards help us maintain a consistent walk with God. They keep us from veering off course and help us stay focused on our ultimate destination – eternal life with Christ.


As you go through your day, take a moment to reflect on the standards you have set for your life. Are they aligned with God's Word? Do they help you stay on the path of righteousness? If not, ask God to help you establish new standards that will keep you safe and secure in your faith.


Remember, setting standards is not about legalism or earning God's favor. It's about honoring God with our lives and staying true to our commitment to Him. When we purpose in our hearts to live according to His standards, we can experience the joy and peace that comes from walking in obedience to our loving Heavenly Father.


Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for the example of Daniel and his unwavering commitment to Your standards. Help me to purpose in my heart to live according to Your Word and to set standards that honor You. Give me the courage and strength to stand firm in my faith, even when it means going against the flow of the world. May my life be a living testament to Your goodness and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

It has been said we create our habits then they create us. What habit patterns are you leaving behind you today? If others followed your habit Trails where would they end up? Would you be glad if others followed the patterns in your life?

Title: Wanting to Justify Ourselves

"And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?" (Luke 10:28-29, KJV)

In Luke chapter 10, a lawyer questions Jesus about inheriting eternal life. Jesus affirms that loving God completely and loving your neighbor as yourself is the right answer. But then we see something revealing - the lawyer, "wanting to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?"

He was looking to define the limits of who he was obligated to love, likely because he knew he had fallen short. As the commentary points out, this desire to "justify ourselves" is still common today. We want to be the ones who decide if our behavior is acceptable, rather than looking to God's standards. We're seeking to stay in control and avoid feeling guilty.

But the parable of the Good Samaritan that follows makes it clear - our "neighbor" is anyone in need, regardless of circumstances or how the world views them. We don't get to draw boundary lines that keep our selfishness and prejudice intact.

True righteousness comes not from self-justification, but from humbling ourselves before God, admitting our inability to meet His standards on our own, and throwing ourselves on His mercy. It comes from placing our lives under the authority of God's Word and our relationship with Christ.

May we recognize the folly and futility of seeking to justify ourselves, and instead find true justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Then we can love God and others with the freedom and wholeheartedness He desires. Amen.