Pastor Odie Kennedy's Pearls

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the apprearing of Jesus Christ . 1Peter 1:7 KJV Last week I celebrated my daughter's birthday in beautiful Hawaii.  During the day, we sailed on the waters and enjoyed the creation of God.  No matter how pleasant the day began, at the end of every day it rained.  After the rain was the rainbow.   It got me to thinking about the rain in our lives.  Sometimes we're just floating along and enjoying the water and then suddenly a wave comes and rocks our boat.  We wonder why the storm had to come. God allows us to go through different storms to build our relationship with him.  Many are facing marital problems, financial situations, health challenges, and emotional brokenness.  These storms are not to tear you down but to build you up! God allows them because he knows what he has already placed in you.  Read t

After the days of Moses, it was Joshua's job to lead the children of Israel into the land God had promised them.   He had to step out of the shadow of Moses and hear God for himself.  God told Joshua that wherever his feet trod, that land would be his. Furthermore, God promised that he would be with Joshua through battle and no man would be able to stand against him all the days of his life! What a mighty promise! When I think about the magnitude of that promise, I find myself encouraged in spite of my circumstances.   Joshua was dealing with some difficult circumstances.  His beloved leader, Moses, was dead, the people were looking to him to carry on, and he himself, needed encouragement.  This is not unlike many of us.  If we were to look only at our situation, we would become afraid and disheartened.  However, it when we focus on the promises of God that we realize that we are positioned for victory.  It is in the dark days that the light can illuminate the promis