Pastor Odie Kennedy's Pearls

Essential is defined as being absolutely necessary and extremely important. I cannot think of anything more essential to the spiritual health of the believer than prayer. As the year comes to close, I look back at the tragedies some of us narrowly escaped, the tests we endured, and the pain we suffered. This glance back isn't global or even national. We only have to look as far as our own front doors.  Even our houses of worship have been subject to trials. It is only through the grace of God that we are not consumed. And it is essential that we pray, and we give thanks. Prayer can sometimes be seen as powerful when the verbiage is great, and the tone is loud. For me, it has been in my quietest moments that I have seen the power of prayer manifest miracles. Though I may be surrounded by chaos, prayer allows me to come humbly before my God and find his peace. As followers of Jesus, we must take heed to his divine example. In the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:29), while facing the...

There are so many hinderances these days. It seems that behind every corner lurks temptation or discouragement.  We know that God has given us the authority to take down every hinderance. We don't have to accept what the enemy brings our way.   That being said, one of the obstacles that most often trips up the believer is forgiveness.  I cannot tell you how many times I have heard, "I just can't do it." The pain that comes from offense can be so deeply rooted that it stops us in our tracks.  Literally.  When we do not forgive, we are frozen in place.  The place of the offense becomes our vantage point.  Though we attempt to move forward, we operate from our pain.  Yes, we try to compartmentalize what we have gone through, but that is a temporary and sometimes, false fix.  Just because we are no longer speaking of the offense, does not mean that we have forgiven and overcome it.  So why is forgiveness so difficult?  You cannot f...

So many people are crying out for help.  We never know what people are going through.  What we have seen in the land, has devastated us once again.  All over our nation, there has been bloodshed. It is no wonder that some have given up on the promises of God.   What do you do when the trials and pain of this life seem to disconnect you from the promise? Looking at the story of Joseph, one would be tempted to scowl at the circumstances of this young man.  He loved his father and his father deeply loved him. Though he was hated by his brothers, he continued to share his dreams.   Joseph did not know what would become of him when he landed in the pit.  He listened while his brothers thought they decided his fate.  Can you imagine the pain this must have caused Joseph?  You probably don't have to imagine because you've been there. I don't have to know your testimony to know that you've faced a pit experience in your life.   Wh...