What is that in your mouth?

Bro. Brian Koch preached a moving message about the Lord tries the reins of the heart. He guides us, pulls back on the reins and sometimes just lets us have the lead.

I love horseback riding and it has been many years since I was on my horse. I have ridden retired race horses, old geldings, spirited quarter horses, and my favorite... a Tennessee walker (like being in a rocking chair!)

Tack is what you use to ride a horse. It is the equipment (saddle, pad, halter, etc.) One particularly important piece is the bridle and reins. You slip the mouthpiece or bit into the horse's mouth and up over the ears with the bridle and the reins are attached. You buckle it around the neck. This is how you really communicate with the horse. Depending on what style of riding will determine how you use the reins in turning. The way you use the reins will directly communicate with the horse because they run down into his most sensitive area of his body...the mouth...in which lies the bit. Now if you have a gentle horse, you use a small metal bit that won't hurt when you pull to stop but if you have a racehorse, well, you better wear gloves and be strong if you want to stop! They need a strong bit in their mouth.

Bits can look like torture tools...rings, chains, leather. I wonder what kind of bit does the Lord have in your mouth?

What is the "World"?

Look at your arm, hand, fingers. Look in the mirror. What do you see? Flesh. We live in this vessel that is made up from the dust of the earth. We are part of this world. Too often we are living in this world and not living in the Spirit. This flesh complains loudly. "I am too tired!" "I have a headache!" "Make me feel good!" "Entertain me!"

The flesh demands and demands and demands. Saint of God, what do you hear? What do you listen to? Does your flesh tie you down to the tracks of this world? That demon train is barreling down. The enemy won't stop for anybody.

The Spirit is calling, calling, calling. Soft and quiet comes the urgings from the Holy Ghost. "Come to me, child." "Pick up my word, precious." "Lay your worries down at my cross."

The world is all around us. Keep your eyes open. Ask for discernment. LIVE IN THE SPIRT NOT IN THE WORLD!

Talent Night..Ladies Only

Something special when daughters of Zion gather together. We are having a great time using our imagination creating things using flowers, buttons, cuttlebugs, glue, wire, scissors...(don't get us mad!) even remaking jeans into skirts.

There is unity and power in sisterhood. We all understand each other. We all help each other. We are in this for the long haul. You can count on us! We love Jesus!
Thank you Jessy, Nikki, Sarah, Terra, Serenity, Alexa and me (Mama Koch).

Sorry!

Wow! Can't believe I haven't written anything but so much has been happening and I am thrilled to be serving the Lord. Sadness and loss over the last month. Sis Becky Jones lost a nephew, Rev. and Mrs. White lost a precious daughter, Jacqueline, and Sis Brown passed away. Through all these tribulations God is faithful. Neverchanging, He stands by our side. That is what I am most thankful for in 2010. That is His true and faithful promise. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Don't be afraid to lose this life. Yes, Jesus has blessed me and I do enjoy my children, brothers and sisters, church life and my wonderful husband but I must be ready to give it all up to see the Lord. Thank God, He understands our fraility.

Installation service for Rev. Shane and Sis Jessica Koch was annointed and timely. The Lord spoke to us in prayer service the next day and stating that He had specifically gathered those in The Rock of Salinas and we were going to be a spiritually force in the city of Salinas. Thank you Sis Jeannie for being faithful and sensitive. It is a difficult thing to be used in the gifts but with Pastor Koch at the helm, I believe we shall see more of God's spirit moving in these last days to save souls.

Quote from Rev. Ron Mullings

Rev. Mullings was the preacher for the Section 5 of Western District of UPC Prayer and Bible Conference. He is anointed and profound. One statement that struck home was "Being humble doesn't mean you think less of yourself but it does mean you spend less time thinking of yourself." Makes you stop and think about what you have been thinking about!!!

So You Want to be a Lowrider, eh?

Trucks are manufactured and built to drive, haul, tow and climb. They have specifications for the tires, brakes, shocks, struts (sounds like I know something about cars? lol) What I am trying to say is that cars are built so they will perform. When we tamper with that, it may look good but it will not be able to do what it was meant to do.

Jedediah saw a beautiful low-rider on his way to church. He described the paint job and the angle at which the body was set. The bumper almost kissing the asphalt. The dude with an attitude. Gotta have that! He began to think of the diminished value of the truck. Oh, it might hold value to the owner or others who cherish that kind of ride but for the ones who created the truck, it was ruined. It could no longer go off-road or into sand dunes. It would not be able to haul loads or move furniture. It would have a hard enough time going over speed bumps or up curbs. It was only for show. It really couldn't be used as a truck anymore. Too bad.

God creates us with specific designs and abilities. All too often, we take our vessels and pollute them, change them, cheapen them, altar them, abuse them all for our glory but not God's glory.

The Lord speaks of vessels unto honor and some to dishonor. If we follow God's design and allow Him to change us, we can become a vessel unto honor. We will be ready when Jesus looks for a vessel to use. He will see us waiting on His will.

I think I would rather be an old truck that has been able to climb the mountains of life and stand the heat of the valley of trials. One that has been maintained on the Word of the Lord and the oil of the Holy Ghost has been changed every 3000 miles. The tires of my life have worn well with living the life of a Christian. The interior smells of the joy and praise found on the lips of the driver.
That is the kind of vessel I want to be!

Desperation is a Powerful Emotion!

Rev. Shane Koch preached a powerful message on being desperate for God. We don't casually come into this life of a Christian. No! We are born again and enter into warfare. We need to be passionate about our faith. Passionate about the truth. That is what sets us free. I remember feeling so free from the world's belief system which is not much of a belief system. It is more "loosey goosey" and "anything goes" belief. I lacked security and once I met Jesus and He straightened me out, my footing became sure. I knew right from wrong. Everything was clear. Peace entered my life.

Pastor Brian Koch announced the installation of Bro. Shane Koch into the position of Pastor of the Rock. The church prayed for Bro. Shane and Sis. Jessica as they fulfill the call of God in their life.

Bro. Jedediah and Sis. Nicole will be starting outreach in Greenfield with Bible studies.

Please pray for these wonderful young men and women as they work to bring in the harvest. God is with them.