Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:44:28 GMT <![CDATA[odcchurch.com]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:44:28 GMT The Bible says Mary a virgin the wife of Joseph after a long journey from Galilee, a difficult journey to Bethlehem, the City of David, was ready to deliver the child she carried.  Isaiah 7:14 told the people that the LORD Himself would give a sign through the virgin birth, God Himself would be born in the city of David, Bethlehem to come and live with the people.  Isaiah 9:6 this child would take the entire government upon His shoulders, He would be a Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God. The Ever lasting Father, Prince of Peace. This Child was to be called the Son of God, Immanuel, God with us.  That is what they were told would happen. And it happened just as they said.
You and I, the Inn Keeper, we look upon this weary traveler with his wife ready to deliver and tell them look there is no room for you hear the best I can do is give you a place in the stable and when the baby is born just lay Him in the little manger.  I think somewhere along the line the Inn Keeper heard the story that Isaiah spoke, and the Inn Keeper missed a great experience. 
I suppose we would say I thank God I was not the Inn Keeper.  The sadness that must have come over him when he realized what the Shepherds were saying In Luke 2:20.  They saw and heard, born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the LORD.
Well we are not the Inn Keeper, but we could be the doorkeeper today.  The Bible tells us in Mark 13:26 Jesus says, “They will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”  The Inn Keeper missed it so let us take advice from Jesus Christ, Mark 13:33 “take heed, watch and pray for you do not know when the time is.  Mark 13:34 “it is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper (inn Keeper) to watch.
Know this my dear blog friends there are some wonderful words found in Acts 1:11, I am going to paraphrase, my words. You men, women, teenagers, boys and girls why do you look as if the story of Jesus Christ is just a story for Christmas, this Jesus born in that manger was taken up from us into heaven, He is going to come again, are you like the inn keeper, or the doorkeeper doing as Jesus tells us all take heed, watch and pray, Jesus will come again.
What I take away from this blog this morning, I do not want to be like that inn keeper when Jesus came that first Christmas, I want to be like the doorkeeper watching for that moment when Jesus reveals Himself again to this world praying for those who continue to live as the inn keeper, it is the holiday season and I have no room for Jesus.  If that may be your understanding of the season, please I beg you attend a local Church this season and hear the truth and become a doorkeeper, Jesus Christ Mark 13:37 “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!    
Merry Christmas, praying I see you in church Sunday it is going to be wonderful service, and a special visitor.
]]> <![CDATA[If You Were the Inn Keeper?]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:04:00 GMT Pastor Ron’s Journey in Life (living in faith everyday)
Today December 8, 2011
1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing,  knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Getting closer to Christmas and it is so interesting to watch how people change not for the better.  Ask where is the Joy in the World?   It comes out in people shopping, driving, restaurants and even church.  This time of the season should be as the song says merry and bright.  I don’t know how to put the change people go through in perspective.  What I do know who ever may read this blog.  Christians, you need to really put your eyes on the above scripture and be what God expects us to be every day in our homes on our jobs and yes even in church.  Now of course those who can not say they are a child of God, well I suppose the scripture for today would fall on deaf ears.
My take on this morning’s scripture is we are told to be a people of compassion.  The kind of person who feels the pain and hurt of others almost as it is their own pain and hurt.  Now I realize how hard this may be, but the LORD tells us in Luke 10:37 “go and do likewise.”  We are to be like that Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:33-35.  So as we celebrate Christmas let us be a people of one mind, that mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5.  That will bring a heart of compassion for one another, tenderhearted and courteous.
This Christmas as we say Merry Christmas let those words come from our heart of compassion with a mind like Christ.  And the text this morning says as we journey through life with a heart of compassion a mind of Christ we will inherit a blessing.  And that is good thing, yes?

Have a great day in your journey of life, living in faith everyday.  Merry Christmas.

Pastor Ron

]]> <![CDATA[Godly Living in Home, your Job and at Church]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:47:00 GMT Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Just think about the above scripture for just a moment. Everything the LORD God made was good, no it was very good. That word very good, takes doing to a different level. Very good, as simple as that sounds implies some very important truths that we can take and build our lives around it.  God’s work was precisely what He planned it to be. It was exact, true, correct and precise. No more no less, no big bang no magical mystery tour it was a very good, God’s work. Not only was it exact it was exceptional, it was far beyond what our physical or mental capacity could absorb. Not even the best scientists can understand. We just need to see it as it was, God’s work was very good. Exact, exceptional, extraordinary. Bigger and better then anything our minds could imagine. God’s work was very good. 
Truthfully our call to serve as Christians in ministry is God’s work. I would like the reader to think about two observations I made. First what ever you do, if it is the LORD guiding the effort, it is His work and it is considered to be very good. Never cut short what you do for the LORD, if it is much or if it is a little. If what you do is for the LORD it is very good, it is exactly what He would have you do, it is an exceptional work with extraordinary implications. Just make sure it is the LORD working through you.  The second thing it says to me, He truly sees what we do, so we must be absolutely sure it is of the LORD. Don’t take the scripture lightly when it says God saw, or the LORD said. Take it for the truth and if I am wrong when you get to heaven complain to the LORD. Most important get there so you can make that complaint. If I am right and you discount or even reject the truth, God saw, God said you won’t have that opportunity to complain. 
It was late in the year 2002 the LORD began to speak to me about stepping out and getting involved in a new work for Him. I had just gotten real comfortable in my church which also was a church plant from my heart, it started it my basement. This time I fought the LORD for over 2 ½ years and finally gave in. God raised up Open Door Community Church and has allowed me to see His very good work these last 6 plus years. A work that He planned to be exactly what He designed, to do what appears to be the exceptional,   I could not have done any of this without His hand upon it. And that brought extraordinary results. I have been blessed to see God do very good works in the lives of many people. This journey all along has been His very good works right before our eyes.
God’s work is very good. And where ever you are what ever you do, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31 whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Only a few are called too shepherd or pastor a church, but we all are called to be salt and light of the world. Your worldly profession your job is your mission field, be the salt and light right there and do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to man. That is a very good work that pleases Him. 
]]> <![CDATA[It was very good.]]> Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:20:00 GMT 1 Samuel 15:22-23 So Sameul said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. Vs. 23 for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being King.”
In my private time this morning this thought came up, is it ok to disobey when it appears what you are doing is good?  Here is my best example of this.  Years ago when I was asked to serve as a Fire Dept. Chaplain I went to my pastor and asked if he felt I was ready for such a task.  Here was his response as best I remember.  Yes I was spiritually ready, however, never put this work ahead of my service to the LORD in my church.  I was some what confused by that, feeling if I was out in the firehouse spreading the gospel, was not that a good thing. 
Well there came an event one Sunday morning I was called out and I went and missed church.  Was this disobedience?  It was a good thing for sure we were out looking for a lost little boy.  We are told in the scripture never forget to assemble, (attend church) For just a couple of hours on a Sunday what would have been the correct thing to do?   The little boy was found not by me, is it possible if I would have been obedient to God in Church praying maybe he would have been found sooner.  I know my heart was disturbed  during and after that event. 
God told King Saul specifically what to do and he did not comply.  Saul disobeyed God.  He was told to destroy everything in the city of Amalek.  He spared their King and kept the best of their things.  God saw what he had done and was displeased.  Samuel confronted Saul, here is his response, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, I plan on giving an offering a sacrifice to the LORD, Really Saul?  Listen to What God says through Samuel the spiritual leader, (his Pastor) our text, Behold to obey is better than sacrifice.  When people tell me God told them to do this or that, I reply where in His word.  The word of God is clear about what we should do.   We need to listen take heed and apply it in our lives.  Rebellion, Stubbornness and idolatry are part of this world, rejecting the word of God, just like it was for Saul. This is how it looks today, rebellion, church I am not going to church I will watch preacher so and so on TV and get all the Bible I need.  Stubbornness, do you believe the pastor expects me to do it this way, 10% of my hard earned income, it will be done my way or I will not be a part to the ministry, Samuel spoke to Saul the word of God, Pastors speak the word of God.  Many know God has given a talent to use and many choose not to use it. That is being stubborn. Finally, Idolatry, simply anything we put before God.  Those reading this blog know exactly what that is in your life.
This is not all about church attendance that is just the best example I can muster up.  It is about listening to God thru His word and knowing how we are to live our lives today.  
]]> <![CDATA[When is it OK to Disobey]]> Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:27:00 GMT Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father Through Him.
I am often asked, what is it like to be in full time ministry? First much takes place in the work of the LORD. So when those around me say well Pastor you only work a couple hours a week. I am not writing this to justify what pastors do or do not do as they serve the LORD with their calling. I know what I do on a daily basis and I love it, and I thank the LORD for calling me to this work.
The text this morning should speak to every Christian that is reading this blog. Allow me lay it out this way; remember I am a simple person so I need to read this blog as I write it.
There are a couple of work categories that help me understand what I do. There is Emergency Service Work, police, fire, medical, doctors, and nurses, those who work in the care of others during emergencies. There is Educational work, teachers, day care workers, Business Work that will cover many different job assignments, there is Construction Work, Mechanical Work, and the list can go on. There is one more I would like to add to the list, Church Work. As a Christian I have been saved by the blood of Christ and desire to serve HIM. That is what the scripture speaks too. Whatever you do, do it in the name of the LORD. Emergency Work, Educational Work, Business Work, Construction Work, and yes Church Work, whatever we do, do it in a way that pleases HIM. Each Christian is called to serve the LORD Jesus Christ, we are not being asked to do Church Work. The pastor of your church is like you saved by the blood of Christ, ready immediately to serve the LORD. At sometime in his life, he was called by God to do full church work, different then full time ministry. You see each of us is called to full time ministry. Saved then ready to serve. Think about it for just one minute Jesus Christ, died on the Cross a terrible death so we could be saved, if we simply believe. With what He did for me, when I was saved, I had a burning desire to serve Him. I was not immediately involved in church work; you see I remained in business work as Christian doing in word and in deed, pleasing the LORD. Read Colossians 3:22-25, allow me to sum it up. While you are involved in Emergency Work, Educational Work, Business Work, Construction Work, whatever it is, do it with all your heart while serving the LORD full time. Then as you serve the LORD full time, well listen to Colossians 3:24 knowing that from the LORD you will receive the reward of the inheritance, WOW a reward from God for our full time service to HIM, knowing through it all as we work in our different jobs doing it with all our heart doing it in a way that pleases God. My job today is church work; when I got saved I began full time ministry serving the LORD. Your jobs, Emergency Work, Educational Work, Business Work, Construction Work, whatever work, thank you for what you do, but you also as a Christian are involved in full time ministry thank you for your service to HIM.
Have a wonderful day as you work and as you serve.
Pastor Ron
]]> <![CDATA[What ever you do make it a Ministry]]> Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:37:00 GMT 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Today it is wet rainy and just a very gloomy day here in Stafford Virginia. I sit and look out the window and have already felt like what is next. Earthquake, hurricane Irene, and now tropical depression Lee hammers the area with rain, a rainy day in my life. What is next? The LORD as He always does spoke through this verse. Feeling gloomy can certainly put our mind on a course to be tempted to be angry, discouraged, disappointed, and yes depressed. The past several months the work of ministry here has allowed me to have a front row seat to see this as a reality in many lives. So I believe the LORD is again using me to speak to me, and maybe you.
Temptation for you and I will be part of the course we find ourselves on as we travel our life journey. We will face things that will cause us to be angry, often disappointed, discouraged and yes even for the best spirit minds find themselves depressed. What we must understand from the scripture is first we are not alone. The Bible says our temptations are common to man. So others have faced, are facing temptation as I write this, and will face temptation in the future. Temptations sometimes brought on by ourselves, sometimes by others, often times we feel like these circumstances are out of our control. So we need to see the next part of the scripture as a blessing from the LORD, God is faithful and will not. Not maybe it says will not allow you and me, His precious children to be tempted beyond our control. Understand as I have this morning been reminded, He will give me a way to escape the troubles of the day. To escape means we have to be in it. Believe it or not one can not escape jail unless one is in jail. We can not escape the temptations of the world unless the temptation is before us and we find ourselves in the middle of being angry, disappointed, discouraged, or depressed. I feel like I find myself in the middle of things like that and God says there is an escape route that He supplies. Furthermore God gives us the ability to bear it. Too bear what, the trouble times we find ourselves in. Too bear it simply tells me, what ever the trouble is, and those times must come upon us. Again I believe the LORD is telling me, and maybe you, He sees the trouble times we face, and we need to go through them, the escape route is His and because of our relationship with Him the LORD Jesus Christ we will be capable to bear the difficulties we face.
In His timing the escape route will be made clear all the while however long it takes, we must bear the troubles the temptations those terrifying moments when we begin to become angry, disappointed, discouraged and even depressed. Listen, what is next?
GOD is faithful, He will not allow you (a child of God) to face temptations, troubles, those terrifying moments without reminding us those are His footprints in the sand. He is carrying us (the escape route) all the while He promises to never leave us and never forget us as we bear the temptations we face.
]]> <![CDATA[Escape Route]]> Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:29:00 GMT Matthew 24:4-8 And Jesus answered and said to them;  Take heed that no one deceives you.  for many will  come in My name, saying I am the Christ, and will deceive many.  And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places, verse 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Sitting here at my desk this morning I have been touched by the LORD to write this brief blog.  The scripture above should speak for itself with no explanation needed. 

With the east coast earthquake this past week, the LORD revealed to me these Words of comfort. The truth is, earthquakes will be apart of our lives until the end.  The end is only known by God Himself. So as fear came upon me on Tuesday around 1:50pm, I quickly realized I am saved and I will stand firm on Romans 8:1 and I do not walk according to the world, the flesh but according to the Spirit and I will endure these challenges that I will face because I am saved.  Walking closely with the LORD Jesus Christ, that fear quickly left me as I was reminded of 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Will you endure, are you saved, did you go to your place of worship the local new testament church to praise Him that very important part of your walk with the LORD who holds the earth in His Hands.

Thank You Jesus for those comforting Words, "let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1

I do believe in Jesus and I will walk with Him now and in Heaven.

Have a great day in the LORD, be sure you are saved and are walking closely with Him.

Love In Christ,

Pastor Ron

 

 

]]> <![CDATA[His Promise]]> Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:52:00 GMT

1 Timothy 5:17-18

Today I am going to take my blog in a different direction.  It is for a pastor somewhere.  I do pray this blog is correctly received and you become one who fully supports your pastor.

The scripture above the Apostle Paul is writing to a pastor, shepherd, often called elder.  It takes strength like that of an ox with a heart of a lamb to be a pastor. The work of the ox was done on what is called the threshing floor.  A floor made up of rocks to allow for the difficult task of separating wheat or corn from the stalks.  Church ministry is like that of the threshing floor.  The ox, is the pastor.  Together they are working to separate a sin life and to recognize a life with Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 5:18 never muzzle the ox.  The ox would feed on the good. What a great point of interest for the church a responsibility to see that our pastors are cared for.  Jesus speaks these words church, “the laborer is worthy of his wages.”  Your pastor is worthy of the grain from the threshing floor.

Verse 17.  The pastor, he is worthy, especially if he labors in the Bible, study and prayer.  Jesus says he is worthy; your pastor. How sad is it when a pastors needs are not met.  My prayer today is that you who belong to a church make sure your pastor is being cared for with the promised wages.  There is no where in the scriptures that I can find that says your pastor is responsible for finances, church business disciplines, work schedules, nursery schedules, building conditions, Sunday school, day care, etc.  The word does speak to the delivery of Gods word through study and prayer the most important thing any one can do. 1 Peter 5:2 says, those called of God are to shepherd the flock of God, serving as overseers. That’s it, my blog, my comments, my thoughts.  My prayer is my blog helps a pastor somewhere.

]]> <![CDATA[Never Put a Muzzle on the OX]]> Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:40:00 GMT Hello to all our Open Door Community Church family and friends.  How fast this year has gone by. God is so good, He answer prayer.  We have just completed a huge move from 565 White Oak Rd to 2094 Jefferson Davis Hwy, thank You LORD.  Now that we are here we continue to face financial challenges.  The Debit crisis with our government has damaged our economy more than in the past, our community and our country is suffering at the hand of satan’s attack.  Christians we need to get into this fight, by cleansing our hands, purifying our hearts and putting our mind on spiritual things, Jesus Christ. The Bible says, James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.  I am reaching out to the family and friends of the Open Door Community Church asking you to help me fight this battle.  Yes it is certainly a battle that satan has orchestrated.  And he is advancing.  It is time for the churches everywhere to stand up and stop his progress. The Bible says, Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”Vs 13 gives us the counter attack plan, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  You ask, how do we stand against such a powerful source as satan?  Here is the answer, make sure the church remains healthy at all times.    The summer months have hurt our attendance, along with this attack on our financial stability; this has hit the church extremely hard.  I am reaching out to family and friends, pleading, if the church has done anything for you this past year would you prayerful consider a generous gift, just visit the church website www.odcchurch.com go to the tab marked, giving.  The next page will help you step by step.  No stamp needed no gas to drive to the church, unless you come on Sunday that would be awesome, hope to see you then.
The Bible says, 2 Corinthians 9:5b prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. Vs. 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Vs 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. How about you and I becoming bountiful reapers, we will defeat the attack of satan, make sure your church remains healthy, and that takes those who have been touched by this ministry to search your heart and consider a generous gift given with a cheerful heart.  We will win the battle because there is victory in Jesus.
]]> <![CDATA[Special Needs]]> Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:40:00 GMT Hello to all our Open Door Community Church family and friends.  How fast this year has gone by. God is so good, He answer prayer.  We have just completed a huge move from 565 White Oak Rd to 2094 Jefferson Davis Hwy, thank You LORD.  Now that we are here we continue to face financial challenges.  The Debit crisis with our government has damaged our economy more than in the past, our community and our country is suffering at the hand of satan’s attack.  Christians we need to get into this fight, by cleansing our hands, purifying our hearts and putting our mind on spiritual things, Jesus Christ. The Bible says, James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.  I am reaching out to the family and friends of the Open Door Community Church asking you to help me fight this battle.  Yes it is certainly a battle that satan has orchestrated.  And he is advancing.  It is time for the churches everywhere to stand up and stop his progress. The Bible says, Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”Vs 13 gives us the counter attack plan, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  You ask, how do we stand against such a powerful source as satan?  Here is the answer, make sure the church remains healthy at all times.    The summer months have hurt our attendance, along with this attack on our financial stability; this has hit the church extremely hard.  I am reaching out to family and friends, pleading, if the church has done anything for you this past year would you prayerful consider a generous gift, just visit the church website www.odcchurch.com go to the tab marked, giving.  The next page will help you step by step.  No stamp needed no gas to drive to the church, unless you come on Sunday that would be awesome, hope to see you then.
The Bible says, 2 Corinthians 9:5b prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. Vs. 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Vs 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. How about you and I becoming bountiful reapers, we will defeat the attack of satan, make sure your church remains healthy, and that takes those who have been touched by this ministry to search your heart and consider a generous gift given with a cheerful heart.  We will win the battle because there is victory in Jesus.
]]> <![CDATA[Special Needs]]> Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:40:00 GMT