2 Corinthians 8:1-3

Good morning church. Many today call this tgif, thank goodness it's friday.  There is free on line devotional that better defines those letters, TGIF Today God is First.  Now my scripture and comments are not from TGIF, even though I must say they are always a great devotional to start your day, and you should try it.

Today I just want to drop this thought on you.  It is friday and that means the weekend is upon us.  A busy weekend for sure, Memorial Day and many will be cooking out and enjoying the long weekend. Many away from church.

I want to encourage you to give consideration to start your weekend remembering the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrafice for our freedom.  Take time this Sunday to attend church and remember the one who paid the ultimate price for our sin, setting us free from total torment (Luke 16:19-31).  Churches will be honoring the men and women who have served and are serving our Armed Forces.  Start your Sunday not on summer time event, or some special time that will take you away from Church.

Paul writes in the scriptures reminding us to see the grace that is given to the churches by God and it is through the life of Jesus Christ that we recieve it abundantly.  That abundant Joy comes during trials and afflictions, the challenges we face every day can be overshadowed by the grace that has been given to the church and the churches as they speak the Word of God and exercise the spiritual gift of love, the abundance of their joy will be clear because all the church does is freely and willingly to please first the Jesus=J others=O you=Y will be blessed.  This Memorial Day Sunday start in Church a place where God poured out His Grace, Gods Riches At Christ Expense.

Recieve God's riches by starting your Memorial Day off in Church.

Be blessed and know that Jesus would perfer that all come to repentance and get saved and that no one would perish into total torment. (2 Peter 3:9)

If that may be you, one who never came to Christ, pray this simple prayer right now, Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner, forgive me of my sins come into my life and save me, pour out on me Your amazing Grace I pray in Jesus name amen.  If that was your prayer then today you will begin to experiance the abundant Joy like those in the Churches of Macadonia.  Be sure now to change your plans and start your Memorial Day Celebration in Church.

Thank God for all who take time to read this blog and comment. Jesus loves you and so do we at Open Door Community Church.

Pastor Ron

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Every day that we open our eyes and breath and can touch and feel, smell, taste and hear, it is the Lord who has made that all possible. 

With that very thought God the creator of heaven and earth once again for you and I made another day for us to enjoy, Life Is Good.  Heard that recently somewhere, must have been some wonderful TV Preacher.

You know the scripture does not stop there, does it?  Read verse 26, we have to come, it is our responsibilty to make a move in a direction that is pleasing to Him, this is the day He made.  We need to be certain that we are walking in a direction that pleases Him and then the blessings will come.  And one thing for sure, blessings do come from the house of the Lord, God is the Lord, His house the church with family, it is here we will praise Him and exalt Him, giving thanks. 

This is the day the Lord has made, do what pleases Him connect with His church, the house of the Lord, and be blessed.  Verse 29 His mercy endures forever.  This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. As we walk in away that pleases Him, attend your local church and praise and exalt Him.  The promise is you and I  will not recieve what we deserve.  MERCY forever.

Thank you Lord,

Jesus loves you and so do we at Open Door Community Church. Praying we will see you in church.

Pastor Ron

Jonah 1:17-2:9

Everyone knows the great story of Jonah.  It so difficult sometimes to understand.  Today as I was searching the scriptures for my blog I paused and read the story only to be direted to the scripture above.

Verse 17 says the Lord had prepared.  What has the Lord prepared for you and I today.  Jonah had no idea what was ahead of him.  Today we have no idea what lies ahead of us.  However there is something we can take with us from the scriptures.  Let's not wait until we find ourselves in the belly of a fish, problems of the day.  Begin right now as I will do to cry out to the Lord, not because of our afflictions, but becuase of our love for the Father.  Today I go to begin the process for my back surgery, I have no idea what is ahead.  I do not want to wait until the days troubles come upon me, I chose to cry out to the Lord now.  The Lord who brought Jonah out the trouble of the belly of the fish gave him life in verse 6.  Do not let your soul faint before we remember the Lord. Pray and cry out now and seek His direction for your day as He has already prepared the plan.  Make a vow Lord You are who I will worship today no other idols just You, the Lord Jesus Christ who provides to you and I salvation. 

And don't you know like always God answered Jonah and put him out of the belly of the fish onto dry land.  Cry out now no matter what you think about your day, the Lord already has it planned out, thank Him, express your love for Him, obey Him with your cry now making that vow, You Lord I love and You Lord Jesus I will obey, use me in Jesus name amen.

Now let Him do what He already has planned, it may surprise us how good He truly is.

Thanks for your comments and have a blessed day, and know this Jesus loves you, now cry out and tell Him how much you love Him.

Pastor Ron

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus spoke these very familiar words after He had been tempted in the wilderness and never gave in always said it is written.  He had been busy teaching what it really meant to be a follower of Christ like being poor in spirit, finding ourselves mourning at troubled times, meek in our own behavior, hungry and thirsty, yet full of mercy, pure in heart, prepared to be one who speaks unity, a peacemaker, knowing that we will be persecuted always rejoicing knowing our greatest reward is being part of His kingdom.  The very word He stood on firmly, He is all about teaching the truth.  He then cleansed a leaper from the aweful disease, healed Peter's mother, settled the ragging sea, cast out demons, gave the gift of sight to the blind the crippled walked, spent time with sinners, and the people still rejected Him. 

Jesus Christ the only one who could do all of this then and continues today, He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Just believe in Him.  When times of stress fall upon us, listen He says come to me, burdened, tired troubled times and He will give us rest. 

The only way to deal with the stress of the day is to come to Christ right now. pray and seek Him for He cares for you.

Father in Jesus name, those who may have troubled times before them now, I pray come to their aide as only You can do.  Your gentle even when we reject You or find ourselves not trusting You, lowly in heart give us rest this day, comfort our hearts as we seek that abundant life today as You are life.  Thank you now for Your burden, as it is light and there is rest for my soul, in Jesus name amen.

So no matter what you are going through turn your eyes upon Jesus for He will provide you rest.

Have abundant joyful day in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Ron