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April 27, 2010 11:45 AM
Posted By Pastor Ron
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Nahum 1:3-7
Verse 7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He know those who trust in Him.
Many people in our society today have been given the privilege to come to know the Lord. The story of Jonah going to Nineveh to preach and the entire city repented and God held back on His judgment. They were given the privilege to know the Lord. Then years later Nahum comes on the scene to find they have turned to their old habits of violence, idolatry and arrogance. And because of their turning away from the God who delivered them from judgment the Lord becomes jealous, and furious.
Today our country has turned from God who has continued to deliver us from His wrath. A jealous and furious God. Christians today are persecuted, churches collapsing due to the world economy, the world attempting to profit from the church today, satan having a field day in the lives of God's people. Know this brother or sister in Christ, the Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries. Those who have turned from God.
Verse 7 the Lord is good. That for the believer should bring complete peace and comfort to our lives, the Lord is good. He is our stronghold, our fortress, He fortifies our lives. So the battles we face in this world, a day of trouble, God has us in His fort. The protection from the attacks that may come. He knows who you are and He knows who faithfully trust in Him. The thing we must remember is to trust Him. With everything, trust in Him. During the good times trust in Him, He will continue to supply your every need. In the bad times trust in Him, He will direct you through those times. The Lord is good to those He knows who trust in Him.
Today, what ever your situation don't look back like they did in Nineveh and go back into the life you once lived. Remain focused on the one who is slow to anger and great in power, verse 3. The Lord will have His way. No matter what we try to do on our own or what others may attempt to do to disrupt His plan for you and I, trust in the Lord for there is not other way but to trust and obey. For you and I who trust in Him with all our heart, He is and will always be good, that fortress around our lives in the days of trouble.
Trust the Lord Jesus Christ today He is the fort around your life. He is your protection, and will care for His children, those who trust in Him.
Be blessed, trust and obey for there is no other way.
Pastor Ron
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April 20, 2010 4:22 PM
Posted By Pastor Ron
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Proverbs 15:1-7
Today it is such a tragedy to see how Christians talk. To listen to so many people call others in the body of Christ hypocrites. Knowing that our world is full of those defined as one who pretends to be something they are not. The struggle I have is to hear those who believe Christ died for all, to here someone use such harsh words openly when it fits so many of us. The Bible says we are to speak with a wholesome tongue which is a tree of life. Proverbs 15:1 tells us we are to speak with soft words not harsh words. Some related words to harsh are, abrupt, comfortless, disharmonious, hurtful, rude, unsympathetic, uncompassionate, and unforgiving just to name a few. Not words I would think pleases the Lord. The Bible also indicates to me those who use harsh words do it to stir up anger. Proverbs 15:2 calls the one who speaks harsh words a fool and pours forth foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are every place, including facebook. He is watching evil and good. A wise person speaks words that foster knowledge and wisdom.
Now all of us should consider ourselves hypocrites. Pretending that Jesus Christ is first in our lives. Proverb 15:1-7 gives us some real good advice. Vs 1. be gentle with your words Vs 2. always speak to what is accurate and true Vs. 3 Remember God is the ultimate Judge and He is watching and listening Vs 4. use words that foster healing, not blame Vs 5 remain FAT, Faithful, Available, Teachable and be ready to give and seek forgiveness Vs 6 it is ok to disagree about things that really don’t matter, agree on Jesus Christ, all people matter to Him Vs 7 speak words that spread knowledge and understanding.
The word proverb is wisdom, the ability to live life skillfully, a Godly life in this ungodly world. How can we, as a Godly family, charged to go and make disciples, ever accomplish that very important task when we continue to speak harsh negative words to the world about those who matter to God.
I realize someone reading this now and saying you hypocrite. Maybe I said a harsh word or acted in way not pleasing to you. First I ask the Lord to forgive me, next I ask you to forgive me. I know my Lord does, how about you. Are you a pretender, seek His forgiveness. God will forgive you and then we can get busy working together building the Kingdom of God. Think how great an impact Christians would have if we truly believed in what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:10 “Now I plead with you, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
Church, it is time to eliminate referring to Christians, other followers of Christ, with negative harsh words. Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.
Pastor Ron
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April 14, 2010 9:38 AM
Posted By Pastor Ron
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Colossians 3:22-25
So you say you are in full time ministry. I have been asked that question many times. Even prior to taking on the responsibility as a full time church servant as a pastor.
You know what, I heard that right after I was saved. My response to people has always been, yes I am in full time ministry and happen to be working part time at ADT. That was my answer when I worked in the secular world. I love the text scripture Col. 3:23"And what ever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."
You see no matter what you do in the secular world, God needs you there to serve Him. Full time ministry is working to reach a world full of sin and build the kingdom of God. If you work at McDonalds, Police Office, firefighter, Nurse, Doctor, Lawyer, Government Official, Senator, Congressman, Corporate Executive, yes even the President of companines and our great country, what ever it is God has you there to serve. Full time ministry is you in the workplace serving the Lord Jesus Christ. So do it with all your heart. Why? First it is serving the Lord and not man. Next there is a greater reward for you then any pay check will bring. Your inheritance of heaven as your eternal home. Oh yes I forgot, it is our duty in service to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are a full time servant, church worker, staff member, pastor, you also must remember always do what pleases the Lord with all your heart and He will provide for your every need. So what ever you do wherever you are in the church or secular workplace, you are in full time ministry now do it with all your heart.
If you say I am not in service to the Lord, then visit the ODCC web do you know Jesus. Follow the page to the bottom and pray. Your life will change and you like it was for me will enter full time ministry and your reward will be heaven as your home.
Be blessed today as you serve the Lord full time in your job.
Pastor Ron
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April 6, 2010 12:33 PM
Posted By Pastor Ron
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Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
What beautiful scripture, His power, His outstretched arms, nothing too hard for the Lord. Can we see how awesome God’s power is? The scripture says by the hand of God, He made heaven and earth. As spring comes in full view, the flowers the green grass, the blue sky, the trees become once again full. Rain washes away all the salt and sand that were used to prepare our streets for travel during the snow storms. Just look around and I believe you will see how awesome that statement made by Jeremiah really is. Earth as we see it before our very eyes made by God’s hand.
I am sure many people will want to debate the fact and bring in some scientific explanation. Jeremiah says it best and I need no further explanation. With that said, God who made the earth can handle our little problems we face everyday. When Dee fell yesterday, I began to be afraid how bad she may have hurt herself, it was a straight fall directly on her knee and what appeared to be a direct hit on her face and head. As I turned and saw her on the ground that fear became something that took control for that moment. So I realize we all face those moments when troubled times large or small come into our lives. After I knelt beside her and saw that her face and head never hit the concrete sidewalk, I realized God guided her through her fall. The God who created earth also created Dee, His child a true saint of God and the fall was nothing more then a reminder for me to realize how perfect a gift she is. Now she hurt her knee for sure very serious bruise. Some may ask why then did God not stop her completely from falling? I don’t know that answer, what I do know is the God who created heaven and earth protected her from hitting directly on her face and head and that could spelled tragedy.
The God I am talking about is available to be a part of your life. When you fall, physically or mentally, God will guide your fall and only allow you to experience what He will permit knowing you will use it to grow closer to Him better prepared to trust Him daily. Even with the little things we face in life. That fall may have been small considering how big it could have been, God used it to do three things, 1. He showed my He had Dee and protected her when I could not. 2. A brief period of fear is ok, if we take what He gives us and use it to grow spiritually. 3. There is nothing to Hard for God. His outstretched arms wait to catch and guide someone today. Would you pray a simple prayer?
Dear Lord God of creation, I feel as if I am falling, I am afraid please catch me and guide me to the ground allow me to only be bruised, nothing is too hard for You Lord, forgive me of my sins, come into heart, I give myself to You this day completely, in Jesus name amen.
If that is your prayer, you have received Him today, the next time you fall in anyway He will be there to catch you and guide you. You will never need to ask Him again, nothing is too hard for Him. Write me back to let us know you have prayed that simple prayer, in Jesus name amen.
Pastor Ron
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