River of Life-KPM

When We Hurt Since the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden no one has ever escaped the hard place. That’s the place where we’re up against it. Whatever it ...may be we feel as if I’m the only person alive who is hurting. If others are hurting their hurt isn’t as big and deep as my hurt. To be sure we all hurt, some, more than others. Some hurt because of wounds inflicted by a breached or compromised relationship. Others hurt because they’ve been verbally or sexually abused or a marriage has gone sour or a son or daughter is hooked on drugs and alcohol. Still others hurt because physical sickness rules the day. When we hurt we like to pretend everything is just fine. Ask someone how they’re doing and you get a cheerful positive I’m doing fine, I’m okay. When in reality everything isn’t okay and everything isn’t fine. Fact of the matter is hearts are crying out for help. We’re all experts at the game of masquerade. We wear masks and act out what’s expected of us but down deep inside we search for answers. There is good news in all of this because help has always been just a breath awayHe is Jesus the giver of abundant life. He always seeks out our deepest hurt and longs to heal us. Where there’s a need, there’s a Big God. Wherever there’s confusion, unhappiness, depression, misery, and sorrow the Great I Am is yearning to turn sorrow into joy If you’re hurt has reached the I can’t take it anymore level reach out to touch the healing Jesus. If you fear pressing in on Jesus because the crowd will laugh and make fun of you, you’ll never touch Jesus. If the crowd offers roadblocks saying there’s nothing else you can do, and you believe it, you’ll never touch Jesus. Don’t be afraid or terrified of the nay-sayers because the Lord your God is just a prayer away. All you need do is make the call. He promised never to leave you or forsake you. Deut. 31:6 Pastor Stephen / River of Life @ KPM

The Veil has been lifted A weekend hardly passes without hearing or seeing reports about suffering and sorrow. Chaos seems to surround us and human turmoil is ...graphically visible. Anarchy, violence, crime, civil unrest, rioting, looting and family life collapsing are evident here in America as well as throughout many corners of the globe. Christians, those who can discern, see the vastness and scope of Satan’s brutal attacks. His strategies no longer camouflaged because his veil has been lifted for many months revealing the enormity of this clear and present danger. We’re living in an age of unprecedented arrogance and selfishness where everyone is entitled to do that whatever one feels like doingbeing reprogrammed to call evil good and good evil, darkness for light and light for darkness. Churches aren’t excluded either. Many have been tainted and compromised by the standards of the world. The preaching of God’s Word, His truth, is diluted and diminished to accommodate luke-warm Christians. Satan is celebrating. But we’ve been warned that in the last days perilous times will come: The bible tells us For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Tim. 3:1-5) But know this: for those who are called to his purpose and from throughout thousands of years of history, God has proven He has the power to preserve His people in the most dangerous and perilous times. Life is worth living. Pastor Stephen

You Just Close Your Eyes It’s safe to conclude that every born-again believer has, or will experience the soul-wrenching stings of frustration, disappointments... and nagging doubt. There are no exemptions. In the midst of these soul-probing moments where do you go when there’s no place to go? What do you say when there’s nothing left to say? What do you do when there’s nothing more to do? How do you cry when there are no tears? How do you pray when you don’t know how to pray? You’re staring at a well that has run dryyou take a deep breath and you just close your eyes. Yet in the quietness down in the deep recesses of your spirit, you know and sense the Lord, the Fragrance of Heaven, is speaking to you; When you pass through the waters, I will be with youwhen you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you Isa. 43:2. God’s presence remains with his children whether we recognize it or not. In periods of uncertainty, God calls us to trust Him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:10. The apostle Paul encouraged his fellow believers to see the big picture in the midst of trials, sadness, disappointments and yes doubt telling them to hold on to their faith in God. He wrote, Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day-by-day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Be encouraged, Life is worth living. Pastor Stephen

Salt Salt. It’s the powder additive you sprinkle on your pot roast, your buttered corn on the cob, your grilled hamburgers and even that dash of salt sprinkled... on a bowl of morning oatmeal. Some say salt is good for your body; others have reservations as to its benefits. In the natural salt is a mineral used to preserve food. It can also regulate water content in our bodies. The bible contains numerous references to salt, at least 40 times, in various contexts. It’s used metaphorically to signify loyalty, durability, usefulness, value and purification. Perhaps the most widely quoted scripture passage about salt is recorded in Mt. 5:13 when Jesus who was teaching crowds on the mountainside said You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be salty again? It no longer is good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men. His statement was brilliant. How can we apply the passage to our lives? If believers are the disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ they then are compared to be the salt of the earth; carriers of the Good News. If they lose their saltiness, flavor, they would then be of no significant benefit to others. They would, in essence, be thrown out and trampled by men. Born again believers must be diligent to lead as pure a life as possible in a world torn by soiled distractions and temptations so they can maximize their ability to bless others through example as commissioned ambassadors of the Most High God. Living a life totally covered by the blood of the Lamb makes each one of us spiritual salt and fountains of water where the thirsty can find everlasting life in the presence of the Author of all Life. Life is worth living. Pastor Stephen

Obit for Mary Ann Kotch Mary Ann Gonos Kotch, 84, of Dallas, Pennsylvania went home to be with her Savior Jesus to spend eternity in Papa God’s loving arms. Sh...e passed away on Monday August 24, 2020. She was born in Wilkes-Barre and raised in Kingston and was the daughter of the late John and Mary Linski Gonos. She was graduated from Kingston High School in 1954. She completed her education at the Scranton Business School coupled with classes at Wilkes College and Luzerne County Community College. In her early work history she was employed by the IRS and American Stores business office. She married her husband, Stephen in 1958 and became a stay-at-home mother. She continually volunteered in her church and in 1978 following a direct call from God she and her husband co-founded Kingdom Power Ministries bringing hope and healing to the sick and brokenhearted. In 1990 River of Life @ KPM fellowship was founded. As an ordained minister Pastor Mary Ann ministered and preached the gospel to thousands over the years. She initially envisioned the Wyoming Valley as her harvest field but her heavenly Father had a broader calling for her a she ministered throughout the United States, Canada, Brazil, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands. She was certified as a Christian inner healing specialist with Elijah House of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and was a master Christian biblical dream interpreter and founder of DreamLab7, an International Christian internet dream interpretation site that helped people from all over the world to hear from God through their night-time dreams. Pastor Mary Ann authored and published four Christian books, was an artist, speaker and spiritual mother to countless. She was preceded in death by her son, Jude Thaddeus in March of 2020, brothers John R. and Harry Gonos, sisters Dolores Gonos and Patricia Flannery. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Stephen, Dallas, and children Corinne and husband Joseph, Kingston, and son Kristopher, Kingston. She was grandmother to Leah, Jesse, Isaiah, Stephen and Andrew and great grandmother to Samson, Gideon and Scarlett. Special thanks to Dr. Lanning Anselmi, Kindred Home health, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Heart Institute and Hospice of the Sacred heart. In lieu of flowers please make monetary donations to the Keystone Mission, 290 Parkview Circle Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. A private graveside service was held for family. A public celebration of her life is scheduled for Saturday, September 5th, 2020 at First Assembly of God Church, 424 Stanton Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. from 1-4. The family will receive guests from 1:00 pm until 2:00. Celebration Service beginning at 2:00. See more

Why? When prayers for healing, guidance, provision, restoration and other serious human needs go unanswered we ask the universal question, why? Asking why’... in times of distress is the natural cry when pain and frustration loom heavily on a believer’s heart and only the date changes. Nevertheless Holy scripture teaches us that the Author of all life, during distressing times, will never leave us of forsake us (Heb. 13:5)God hears our prayers even in the dark times when He seems far away, removed from personal needs and unmistakably silent. Reading Holy scripture reminds us that God is well aware of our hard times and gives us assurances of His faithfulness by reminding us when we are hard pressed on every side (we are) not crushed; perplexed (puzzled), but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed. Cor 4:8-9. It’s His assurance of His never-ending love and care for us. We must move beyond the natural and pursue that which is spiritual resting on His promise of a never-ending love for us. The power of prayer is a mystery and difficult to explain. Either we must fully embrace it by faith or continue asking why. Be blessed. Pastor Stephen

It’s Easy to Forget More times than not we Christians tend to continue our walk with the Lord in powerful ways forgetting those who paved the way for what we ...cherish today. We do so simply because we fail to recognize the efforts of men of the past who heard the prompting of the Holy Spirit to forge a pathway of revival in America like no other. Men like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, Charles Finney, lesser known James McReady of Kentucky, Dwight L. Moody, Billy Sunday, William Seymour of Azusa Street, Oral Robert and many others. They paid the high price of scorn and ridicule to overcome Satan’s efforts. We own them our sincere gratitude. Without fear of raising our hands high above our heads, or listening to anointed worship songs or the laying on of hands over the sickor hearing messages that years ago would be considered out of the mainstreamthey are no longer foreign to usthey simply go with the blessed territory. In reality scorn and ridicule against Christians still echo the efforts of the negative past in many areasnevertheless the power of prayer and demonstrations of revival remain in the hearts of born-again Christians. What better way to honor God’s generals who have paved so-wide a highway for enjoying the spiritual gracelets of the Most High God. Be blessed this day. Pastor Stephen

But not always People of faith throughout the centuries have witnessed dramatic deliverances from sickness and disease, financial distress, despair and all man...ner of problems. Testimonies throughout the world attest to that. But not always. Sometimes people of faith aren’t relieved from any sickness or disease or challenging problems. Often-times they merely endure. Yet in the throes of enduring people finally come to rely on the last resort by calling on the one true God for comfort and relief simply because all else has failed. Jesus said in times of trouble you don’t need a lot of faitha mustard seed will do. A little amount can move mountains. It can do amazing things in your life and in the lives of those around you. Without too much discussion we know that exercising faith is most difficult to embrace what- with sickness and all sorts of problems are staring us in the face. Yet through time and circumstance faith is the power engine that has proven to be the force specifically designed to combat the strengths of unbelief and doubt. Whatever you are going through today know that a mere ounce of faith is all that’s needed to change turmoil into a testimony. The bible is replete with faith filled promises. Chief among them is in Heb.11:1-2Faith is the substance (the surety) of what we hope for, the certainty of what we don’t see. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you won’t drown; flames of fire will not consume you. Isa 4:32

Blessings and more blessings. Search out the wisdom of God in the scriptures especially in proverbsBlessings and more blessings. Search out the wisdom of God in the scriptures especially in proverbs

THE TWO WITNESSES By Kristopher Kotch I’m not sure why there is such a debate in the church over who the two end-time witnesses are. Revelation 11:3-6 is quite... clear. 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy:(Elijah) and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.(Moses) (KJV) The first part of verse 6 is of course describing Elijah. 1 Kings 17:1. And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. (Also James 5:1-7) While the second part of the same verse describes Moses. Exodus Chapter 7 describes the 10 plagues of Moses. Moses and Elijah are also the two who witness the transfiguration of Jesus. Mathew 17:1-4 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. (Also see Mark 9:2-4) And there is a reason why they are singing the song of Moses in Revelation 15. Revelation 11:6 by itself should convince anyone but it’s often-times ignored in favor of a concept based misunderstanding of Hebrews 9:27. This has led to a conclusion that is at best a supposition. The question isn’t so much about Elijah as it is with Moses. Most believe the two are Elijah and Enoch. The fact is Enoch’s isn’t the one described in Revelation 11. Also, not one verse in the bible where Enoch is mentioned does it allude to him being one of the witness’s. The Elijah/Enoch theory is based on Hebrews 9:27 which reads, And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: This verse may be of value in this this situation if it was referring to physical death, but it’s not. It speaks of spiritual death. Verse 27 has to be read in the context of chapters nine and ten. Romans 7:9 should also be helpful, For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. This refers to a point in everyone’s life at which the age of reason is reachedthe place where someone knowingly sinsunderstanding right and wrong. Choosing sin results in spiritual death. That’s what Hebrew’s 9:27 is all about. That is why an aborted baby or an infant or young child goes to heaven when they die. They haven’t knowingly sinned. So they never died spiritually. John 1:9 states that the Lord lights every man that comes into the world. Sin extinguishes that light and the result is death. When someone is born again they pass from death to life. See also: 1Corinthians 15:22 and 11:31-32, 2 Corinthians 5:14 and Romans 5:12-21. There are additional references. Some conclude since Elijah and Enoch didn’t die physically they must be the two witnesses. After all they are killed by the antichrist so that is their once to die appointment. But, again Hebrews 9:27 is referring to spiritual death. So, not dying physically isn’t a requirement for the two witnesses. Besides that what is the Lord going to do with all the tribulation saints who are alive at His return? And how do we know that Elijah and Enoch are the only two in the history of the world who were ever translated to heaven? Was Enoch the only friend of God over all the years? Revelation is very clear; the two witnesses are Elijah and Moses. And how about that, the Jewish people are going to have another opportunity to hear and this time believe Moses.

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