February 4, 1950-June 27, 2025 A Servant’s Heart “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28a ESV) Vance Kitchen embodied the spirit of service. From the moment we met at Messiah Christian Church in Midlothian, Virginia, I recognized in him the qualities of a true servant […]
Author Archives: kenbarnes
23
Jun
Jun
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3 ESV) The Apostle Paul’s attitude is the antithesis of entitlement. You have probably heard of the little boy who cut the cocoon of an emerging butterfly to lessen its struggle and ended up killing it. We Christians […]
18
Jun
Jun
Hosea: The Broken Heart of God How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel (Hosea 11:8 NASB)? I want to tell you a story. This tale is not all from the Scriptures, but it is scriptural. It did not originate with me; I have just rewritten […]
06
Jun
Jun
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 ESV) The Church collectively or Christians individually need to maintain a balance between worship and the Word of God. The spirit without the truth or vi ce versa is like a horse without a carriage, it is not going […]
02
Jun
Jun
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16 ESV) There is a mystery of godliness. Sometimes, the Bible may seem almost unintelligible and may meant to be […]
26
May
May
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again. 1 […]
19
May
May
Shakespeare once said in the play, Hamlet, “brevity is the soul of wit.” Shakespeare was saying that less words are better than more in communicating something. Being brief is the essence of intelligence and wit. Who gave the official Gettysburg Address? Most would say, Abraham Lincoln. You would be wrong. The official address was given […]
13
May
May
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV) “The essential condition of receiving light from heaven is not our sophistication but our simplicity.” Alistair Begg. The Apostle Paul kept it simple. Once at my church, I had a friend named Vance. One of the first […]
06
May
May
Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.” (Isaiah 38:21 ESV) Many of the healings recorded in the Bible combine the natural and the supernatural. Healings often take place through prayer accompanied by a natural action. God and medicine often work together. […]
29
Apr
Apr
For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:15-16 ESV) It does not matter if you are circumcised or not, circumcision will only help you to make a good […]