Romans 1:16

God is so awesome.  Had many visits this week with so many challenges in the lives of people.  As I sit here today reflecting back I am reminded of the Power of God and how we just need to understand His Power.  And every challenge we face will be handled.  It takes His Power,

P pray daily 1 Thessalonians 5:17

O obey God in all things Acts 5:29

W witness who Christ is in your life Matt 28:19-20

E engage in a Bible believing church Heb 10:22-25

R read the Bible 2 Timothy 2:15 and 3:16-17

Those things spell power.  Now with that before you, search the scriptures but please start with Romans 1:16.

Christians are intimidated by the world.  It is again time another local election coming up and I am going to encourage every Christian to get out and vote and when you stand at the voting booth remember Romans 1:16. Do not be ashamed of the Truth.  The Truth of Jesus Christ, the power for all who simply believe.  A Believer is more then saying I am religious, I am Baptist etc, it saying I have a relationship with Christ and it is personal,  John 1:12-13.  When you search the candidate to vote for, ask are you ashamed of the truth of Jesus Christ.  The answer must always be no, it is the Power of God that has saved me from the world filled by the Spirit which I believe in.  That should be their answer.  The candidate needs to say I will never be ashamed of the Gospel, Jesus Christ.

Just a thought for this morning as I have noticed all the candidate signs, some I know and others are new to the political side of our local government.  Our voting rights give us the responsibility to vote, and with Christ first in your life, the decisions become easy, just measure the candidate to the scriptures He will guide you in your decision.

Be blessed and know that Jesus loves you and so do I.

Pastor ron

Titus 1:1-2

He promised before time began, wow is that a great thing to hear.

It is Tuesday afternoon and the day has been full of counseling and of course it started out at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.  I Visited with a wonderful man who found himself in trouble by the influence of the world.  He and the family attended church and they all found Jesus Christ.  The normal coffee time with the pastor was delayed, for those who came out sorry we missed each other. 

Brief update, the back is better everyday but still very painful. It will be this way I am told.  Praise the Lord the original pain is gone.

Now let me ask you, have you ever doubted your salvation?  Many answer yes because they don't feel saved.  Well Titus explains it in a way that should bring peace to your heart if you have received the gift of salvation.  Before time began, God promised eternal life.  Believers who receive the gift of salvation have that promise, Eph 1:6 and John 1:12.

The promise of eternity with an abundant life John 5:24 and John 10:10.  Our future and our now.  So as we hit those moments in time when our emotions, feelings side track us to think that maybe you are not saved.  Know salvation is not about our emotional feelings it is the awesome promise of God.  Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God who cannot lie, promised before time began.

Are you having those moments of questioning your salvation, there is the great promise from God the Father to supply all of your needs now and into the future. Titus 1:2

Be blessed, and know that Jesus loves you and so do we at ODCC.

Pastor Ron

1 John 5:14-21

Today just praising the Lord a great day yesterday in Church, some old friends visited and it was such a JOY.  Music was awesome and the Lord spoke to many.  We missed so many of our family, however we also know vacations are still in force and many are not feeling well.  Prayers offered to those who we missed.

Just wanted to encourage everyone, to include those who may have missed yesterday, stand firm no matter what you are going through.  Stand firm in Christ, be confident in who He is in your life and more important who you are in Christ.  In today's times we will face challenges, but know that a challenge is simply a fight between the world and the spirit.  Knowing the Spirit is strong but our flesh is weak.  We are in a fight, a challenge but we have confident, trust, faith and believe in who Jesus Christ is.  The challenge can be met and when we do with Christ we win. Now that will bring controversy which is something we as Christians face automatically because our ways will never be accepted by the world. 

Thank You Lord I am full of JOY that I am in this fight and the controversy that comes I know I can and will stand firm and be confident in You Lord Jesus.  All challenges can be met because there is victory in Jesus.

Thank you all for visiting and those who are a part of this ministry be blessed this day. Looking forward to our church camping retreat.  Have a great week in the Lord, be blessed, stand firm and be confident in Christ.

Pastor Ron

James 2:14-18

Today I find myself for the first time in months having a pity party.  Ever been there?  First a brief update on the surgery.  Back is doing good, I am back to driving working full days and serving the Lord, love it.  So why a pity party you may ask?

The past few days our church telephone as been ringing off the hook, people in need, death, illness, family members jailed, teenagers in serious trouble, babies that can not be held by moms and dads, electric turned off, families told they have no home if they do not come up with dollars, no food to feed their loved ones.  This is real and it is a serious situation and the church is called on to help those in need.  Every time this is what we say, sorry be warmed and filled we can not take care of your needs.  And that breaks my heart.  Every believer in Christ should feel the pain that I have felt as I have wept over things calls.  No most are concerned about things that just don't matter.  What are we doing as a church to obey the Lords direction given to us through James 2:14-18.

What does it profit you and I when a brother or sister comes seeking daily help and we say oh just come to church listen to me sing or my pastor preach and it will warm your heart and fill your spirit and then send them away.  I ask, church, what have we done to profit.  Maybe churches are struggling with attendance or financial prayers are not being answer because we are not doing the basics as a church.

What if, the church focused on the true needs of those who could demonstrate it to be a real need and their commitment to the Lord as a brother or sister in Christ was clear.  When those needs are correctly identified, and the church just takes care of it, just maybe the Lord would see that the church received more blessings then we could ever muster up from our singing or preaching or programs.  Just what if, we as church would listent to James 2:18 "but someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works."  Show me your faith with out your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."  To get from the Lord we need to give, working and hepling with the needs of others.   Someday you may have a need and your church needs to say we got your back, not just go as we watch your back.  If you got it, give it then He will see that you get it.  A new building, a huge attendence, to be a healthy church we need to meet the needs of others.  Why a pitty party?  So many needs to be met and the church is not paying attention to what matters.

My heart hurts not because of low attentdance, not because we don't have the money to buy the property we need to build, it hurts when I get telephone calls from brothers and sisters in Christ weeping for the need they have and I say go be warmed and filled.

Lord Jesus my prayer today is for churches to say Lord we want to profit, how, by giving to the needs of others, then we will get.  In Jesus name amen.

Have a great day, my pitty party is over, and now I am busy giving to get.  One family has now received what they needed, and I feel so blessed.

Pastor Ron

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Just a quick brief update on my recovery.  Much improved, still pain and swelling in the back around the surgical site.  Follow up with the surgeon next week to take a look at the new x-rays to be sure the rods and screws are secured.

All of that is due to the abundant Grace that comes from the Lord.  By the Grace of God I am what I am.  Have you asked the question what is Grace.  Well if I may answer that for the many, it is the undeserved favor of God poured out on our lives.  It is also in my mind spelled like this, God's Riches At Christ Expense.  Paul understood that better then most of us.  He said in verse 10 by the Grace of God I am what I am.  After all that Paul had done to the Christians, like hunt them down to have them jailed and then murdered.  Paul who said he was the chief of all sinners.  And because of Paul's Damascus Road experience, God poured out His favor on Paul.  The truth of that is found in Acts chapter 9. 

No matter how bad you think you might be, Paul said he was worse, and God poured out His Grace upon Paul and his life.  And that was not just empty words, (1 Cor 15:10).  And from that Grace, Paul worked more abundantly to see that others would come and just believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and because of what He did on the Cross at Calvary, you and I who just believe can have that abundant Grace of God.

Ask Jesus Christ today into your heart and receive the Grace we do not deserve but it is freely given due to the blood of Christ.  Pray this prayer, Dear Lord Jesus I know I am sinner, forgive me of my sins and come into my life and save me today, pour out your Grace on my life today and forever, I receive into my heart and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ today for the first time in Jesus name I pray amen. 

No if that is your prayer please write me and let me know so I can rejoice like the angels in heaven are doing.

Be blessed and enjoy God's Abundant Grace in your life.

Pastor ron

You are not worse then Paul, but God’s Grace is not yours unless you have your Damascus Road experience.  Are you ready like Paul?