Transformers

Transformers 
I enjoy spending time with my grandkids and often we’ll watch movies.  My grandsons especially enjoy watching movies involving aliens, monsters and robots so one series of movies that meet all those criteria  is a series called “Transformers”. It’s simple amazing watching these robots transform from a vehicle to a walking, talking robot. It says in

 Rom.12:2 (ESV)

 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Wouldn’t it be great if we could transform our lives that easily rather than living in the cookie cutter world that we live in but if we turn our lives over to Christ , it will happen. It won’t happen instantly like in the movies but if we turn our lives over to Christ and follow His instructions we will begin transforming our lives and start getting away from the cookie cutter life of the world. So which one would you rather be a being someone who has been transformed into a Christ like being or would you want to be left behind  with the cookie cutters beings of this world?

Ken Bagwell

It’s the Time of the Season

It’s the Time of the Season 

It’s the Time of the Season is a song sung by a group called “The Zombies”. Although zombies are very popular right now and people say it’s the “Time of the Season” to be celebrating the birth of Christ.

Neither are quite what they seem. We know there is no such thing as “zombies” and we know that this is not the time of the season that Jesus was actually born but what we do know is that Jesus was born and that because of Him we have the promise of life after death.

John 11:25 ESV Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

With a promise like that we should be celebrating every day, not only His birth but also His life, death and His resurrection longing for the day we can spend eternity with Him.

Ken Bagwell

Is It Really Worth It?

Is It Really Worth It?

Hetty Green (November 21, 1834 – July 3, 1916) was one of the wealthiest persons of her era and by today’s standards she would be one of the wealthiest person alive but that’s not what she really remembered for. According to Guinness Book of World Records (pg.496), she holds the title of “Greatest Miser of all time”. She was noted for eating cold oatmeal because she didn’t want to waste the money to heat it up and for collecting scrap pieces of soap rather than buy soap and she would only wash the edges of her dress that touched the street but worst thing she was known for was when her son Ned dislocated his knee because she tried to find a free clinic to treat him gangrene set in and caused Ned to loss his leg. Was it really worth it to have all that money but yet she allowed her son to loss his leg. The Bible ask the question:

 Matt.16:26 (ESV) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

 What is your soul worth? What is it worth to you to go to Heaven?

Matthew 13:45-46 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, ⁴⁶ who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

What is most valuable to you?

 

 

 

 

Atheist Ain’t Got No Song

Atheist Ain’t Got No Song

I was listening to a comical song by Steve Martin “Atheist Ain’t Got No Song”, although the song is funny, it got me to thinking how sad not only do they not have a song but worse they have no hope. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose all hope. Thankfully, through Christ we do have hope and it is free or the taking. All He asks is for us to follow Him and do His will.

 Ephesians 4:4-6English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

So let’s strive not only to desire that hope He offers but follow and obey His will.

Ken Bagwell

Burdens lifted

Burdens lifted

Ever wonder why oxen are hooked together when they are working in a field, because it makes the job easier for them. If only one was trying to the job, it would be difficult. I read somewhere once an ox could pull about 3,000 lbs so if you hook two of them together how much do you think they could pull? You would think 6,000 lbs since there were two of them so you double it but that’s not the case. When you yoke two oxen together they can pull over 10,000 lbs, almost double the amount. That’s why it is so important that we as Christians work together for the Lord knew the benefits of helping each other. 

Matthew 11:30 English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

So don’t take your job so lightly, you never know who out there will need a helping hand or better yet when you are the one who needs the help.

Ken Bagwell

Birth of a child

Birth of a child 
Is there anything more precious than the birth of a child? We hear of so many amazing things when it comes to a child. We hear about how they overcome adversities and continue on to live incredible life. But let me tell you about such a birth. It was born in poverty. To parents that were able to scrap by a modest living. But this child was not only to pull itself out of this environment but grew up to someone that we all should admire. When he became grown he went about helping people no matter their income, no matter their status. Did I fail to mention that this child was the only Son of the Living God? What to learn more about this incredible Child just turn to the gospels and a really inspiring story about His healing and caring for the people but learn how much he loved you and me by bearing our sins on Calvary ‘ s cross so that someday we can be with Him through eternity  if we are but willing to obey His will and follow Him.
Ken Bagwell

Birth of a child

Birth of a child 
Is there anything more precious than the birth of a child? We hear of so many amazing things when it comes to a child. We hear about how they overcome adversities and continue on to live incredible life. But let me tell you about such a birth. It was born in poverty. To parents that were able to scrap by a modest living. But this child was not only to pull itself out of this environment but grew up to someone that we all should admire. When he became grown he went about helping people no matter their income, no matter their status. Did I fail to mention that this child was the only Son of the Living God? What to learn more about this incredible Child just turn to the gospels and a really inspiring story about His healing and caring for the people but learn how much he loved you and me by bearing our sins on Calvary ‘ s cross so that someday we can be with Him through eternity  if we are but willing to obey His will and follow Him.
Ken Bagwell

Peaceful Trail – Dead End‏

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Yes that is exactly what a street sign on my street says. Which made me wonder. Is Someone trying to tell me something? How often do we try to find that “Peaceful Trail ” with hopes of living a quiet peaceful life? To only find a life of heartache and pain. So many of us sincerely believe that when we become a Christian that life is going to be a bed of roses but Christ did not tell us that but rather to pick up our cross and follow Him.

Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Although, following Him maybe a tough and we may get weak and heavy laden He has promised relief.

Matthew 11:28-29 (NASB)
28 “Come to Me, all [a]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
Don’t you want to have the rewards that He has promised? Then why don’t you start today and follow Him.

Ken Bagwell

Peaceful Trail – Dead End‏

Peaceful Trail – Dead End‏
Yes that is exactly what a street sign on my street says. Which made me wonder. Is Someone trying to tell me something? How often do we try to find that “Peaceful Trail ” with hopes of living a quiet peaceful life? To only find a life of heartache and pain. So many of us sincerely believe that when we become a Christian that life is going to be a bed of roses but Christ did not tell us that but rather to pick up our cross and follow Him.

Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Although, following Him maybe a tough and we may get weak and heavy laden He has promised relief.

Matthew 11:28-29 (NASB)
28 “Come to Me, all [a]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

Don’t you want to have the rewards that He has promised? Then why don’t you start today and follow Him.
Ken Bagwell

Excuses for being a Christian

Excuses for being a Christian

Do we find ourselves making excuses for Christianity? Do we find ourselves when we are in the presence of family or friends making excuses for what we believe? Does Christ makes excuses for us or excuse us when we make excuses concerning Him?

Christ tells us that if we aren’t willing to acknowledge Him then He won’t acknowledge us either.

 Lk. 12:8 (ESV) “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,

 Jesus has reassured us that He always will be with us and in fact has only gone to prepare for us an eternal dwelling place so that we can always be with Him.

 John 14:1-3 (ESV)  “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

 So with such a promise as He has given us, why would you or I try to hide our love for Him?

 Ken Bagwell