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March 2, 2010 12:20 PM
Posted By Pastor Ron
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Proverbs 2:1-4
Verse 1, My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,
When a treasure hunter starts out on the journey the first thing needed is the map that leads to the treasure. They are inclined to put attention to the details of the map. Once they have studied the map the journey to find the treasure begins. And if one will apply themselves to follow the map very likely they will find the treasure. However it is not guaranteed.
The believer in Christ is on a treasure hunt, our journey in life. This is a true treasure hunt and the promise to find the treasure is guaranteed. However there are some things we must apply in our lives. First we must receive the map. To receive is to clinch, grasp and hold firmly God’s Word. Cling to His Word and never let go. In a football game a wide receiver will run out among the other teams defenders, who by the way are to stop or slow down the receiver’s progress, while the receiver has one objective, catch the ball and run towards the goal line. If he misses the pass, drops it or it is deflected by a defender he does not receive the ball, and his progress is stopped. The Bible says if we just receive; make the catch then our journey to find the treasure will be clear. The treasure I am referring too is the ability for you and I to think highly to value God’s Word the only map that will lead to prosperity as we journey through life. Think always about what the Lord has for us, receive it don’t try and deny it or make it say something you want it to say, just catch it. It is the Basic instruction before leaving earth.
The value of the Word of God, the treasure of His Words, we find wisdom, how to live a Godly life in this ungodly world. It will give us the ability to apply our heart to truly understand love and how to live in peace to forgive and forget and a desire to serve. It teaches discernment, the ability to make good decisions that please our Father. When we please the Lord then we understand the treasures He has for us today and yes even the treasures for tomorrow. By the way we will also understand there are many hidden treasures that God will reveal when He is ready.
What we must do is simply receive the Word, clinch it, cling to it, catch it, and treasure His commands. The commands are found in His Word. Not a bunch of words what not to do, it is a treasured love letter from the Father to His children. If you love Me then keep My Word. Do you know who wrote those words? Jesus Christ. Are you one of His? Only His children will seek from Him through His Word the truth how to understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of who God is.
If you do not attend a Bible believing Bible teaching church find one and get ready to catch the ball, His Word, treasure the Word it is the commands of God our Father, then run towards the goal line. The treasure chest is the Bible, look inside to see the value right before your eyes.
Pastor Ron
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February 23, 2010 12:37 PM
Posted By Pastor Ron
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The Fitness Test
Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
The fitness test for the believer is a test of the hands and the eyes. The words of Jesus spell out here the fitness test for the Christian. It really defines where the believer is with Christ. Often people ask me about Christians who turn away from God. The subject this morning is going to hit on the issue of the backslider as it often referred too. First let me say, as a simple but strong believer in Christ, once you have the gift of His Grace, turning away from the Lord will never be part of your life’s journey.
Think for a moment, receiving the gift from God, grace, God’s Riches at Christ Expense. God is willing to freely give a gift, His riches all at the expense of His Son Jesus Christ. And if you would just take the gift, with your hands, see, the blessings that are from the gift, why would anyone ever say I will turn from the Father who has given me the greatest gift of all, life eternal in heaven. Jesus says in John 5:24 to those who hear His word, the Bible, and believes in Him, just accept Jesus Christ for who the Bible says He is, you will never die. What a wonderful promise given to us as a gift. No I really do not think anyone who has truly received that promise will ever turn back to what the world offers, death.
The fitness test starts with you and I deciding to put our hands to the plow. The tool used to work the fields so it may be rich and will allow for growth of the crops. the field is our world the crops are those love ones in our world without Christ. The balance of the fitness test is what we do with our eyes. You see if we keep our eyes on who the Lord is in your life, well, for with God nothing will be impossible. What often takes place is the one who starts the fitness test by putting his hands on the plow, the Holy Spirit, feels His touch, then they release the plow remove their hands and look back to the things in the world, failing the fitness test.
Put your hands on the plow never look back. Now granted along the way we will fall and stumble, be bruised, scratched in some cases seriously hurt emotionally and physically, but we will not look back. Like Peter walking on the water with his eyes upon the Lord, Peter never looked back, he started to sink when he took his eyes off the Lord. The complete fitness test is you and I allowing the Holy Spirit who lives with in us be the plow that we put our hands on, keeping our eyes on the Lord. And if by chance you stumble and fall, like Peter reach up and ask the Lord to save you from the trial you face and He will always be there to get you out of the storm. Do you have your hands on the plow? The fitness test is, are you fit for the kingdom of God. The only way is to put your hands to the plow never look back. You see I know I am not everything the Lord wants me to be, but I am thankful I am not what I use to be. My hands to the plow looking to Jesus Christ who guides me as I work the field never looking back.
Put your hands to the plow today, visit the do you know Jesus page at www.odcchurch.com.
Pastor ron
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February 19, 2010 11:27 AM
Posted By Pastor Ron
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Ephesians 4:24 and that you put on the new man whch was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
The word new here actually in the Gk. means something which has a different quality or nature. The entire scripture in Ephesians 4:17-32 Paul is encouraging the believer, you and I, to put on our complete new God created human nature.
We are to no longer to act or think like those who walk in the world. The Bible says they are ignorant and they are blinded in their heart not understanding the truth.
Christians, those who do follow Christ as a disciple put off the old ways and we no longer desire the things of the world but things of the Lord. I realize we will struggle at times and the world, with all that it has to offer, will influence us and when we turn from the righteous and holy life that God has created for us, difficulties and tragedies will come into our life.
What the believer in Christ needs to focus on are clearly spelled out in Eph 4:25-32. No lying, speak truth. Anger is real however when it enters into our lives do not allow the anger to push us into committing sin. The devil is stronger then you and I, however he has been defeated by Christ. Nothing is impossible with the Lord, Satan has been defeated, we just need to flee from the things he will put before us to draw us from that righteous holy life. Let us not give into our old ways, maybe it was in our speech, saying corrupt and hurtful words, a new man says what is good and encourages others. The old man may have been troubled with a past cheating and stealing. The new man works all that is good in service to others.
A new man intentionally will never grieve the Holy Spirit. Simply said, as a new man in Christ I never want to cause my Lord to weep over my behavior. He does weep when we are bitter, angry just a person who speaks evil. You know the definition of bitterness, anger and evil speaking. The new man doing what please the one who created us is kind, tender hearted forgiving always. Not a natural man way of living, this is a new man. Are you a new man or new women? Then it will show in our actions and those who know our old ways will say there is something new about you. That newness is Jesus Christ the only one who can forgive you and I of our old sin nature. Need God's forgiveness today, visit the come to know Jesus page on the main page at www.odcchurch.com.
Be blessed today as we all walk to be that new man in Christ.
Pastor Ron
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February 9, 2010 8:41 AM
Posted By Pastor Ron
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Psalm 34:4-7 Seek the Lord, He does hear our cry. And He will deliver us from the fears of the troubles we face. The Lord will save us from our troubles. How blessed we are to know that the angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
Those are my words, however I believe it is what the Lord has said in Psalm 34.
We are facing a new winter storm that could again bring 5 to 12 inches of snow. We have just gotten past a major storm over the weekend that brought up 25 inches in some areas. The troubled times that come from storms like this are upon us. And as I searched the scriptures the Lord spoke to me from Psalm 34. I would encourage you to read the entire psalm. It has great words like, He delivers, He is good, we will not lack anything, we will see good things, the Lord hears our prayers, the Lord is near, He redeems. Wonderful reminder words during these troubled times. His Words, He will deliver, He is all around us, out of all our troubled times, the Lord redeems the soul of His servants and if we trust in Him we will not face condemnation. Thank You Lord Jesus.
Those are just a few of my highlights from the Psalm. As we face troubled times, turn all the fears that come over to the Lord Jesus Christ. A form of trusting Him is praising Him. Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Praise Him when we win and praise Him when we lose. Wonderful words from the movie Facing the Giants. The troubled times may be like a giant in your life, but remember the Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. He removed the fear of facing a giant with David and he was blessed with victory. We have that victory in Jesus.
No matter what the storm brings we have victory in Jesus let's all just praise Him during those troubled times, seek Him, He hears us and will deliver you and I from all our fears.
Be safe this week and my prayer is this storm be defeated in Jesus name amen.
Pastor Ron
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February 2, 2010 9:45 AM
Posted By Pastor Ron
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Galatians 6:9-10
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
With all the weather we have faced this winter, which seems to affect churches, it is very easy to become discouraged. Cancelled services will impact the church. Just what satan would want. So as the discouragement attempts to disrupt the ministry, God speaks, how to overcome discouragement. To be discouraged is to lose heart, Paul teaches us to not lose heart, especially while doing good. Shoveling snow and clearing parking lots, preparing the churches for services, no matter how hard or how much it may hurt physically, don't stop, don't grow weary, in due season your church will reap the benefits of being faithful to God. This is good. Our task is to plant seeds in the soil of the hearts of people. A healthy church is not always measured by the numbers of who attends. It is measured by the faithfulness of those in the church reaching out to others to share Christ and build His kingdom. No need to compare your church to others, that in itself will help overcome discouragement. Remain busy planting seeds in the soil around us, doing good. Every opportunity, even during the snow events that effect church services, be prepared to always do good.
Every opportunity to do good will be met with satans attempt to cloud the vision of the believer to look past the opportunity. When every opportunity that God puts before us is a time to do good to all. And it is most important to do good to the church family that you are a part of.
Overcome discouragement, 1. Christian do not grow weary, tired, burnt out, misdirected, discouraged. 2. Always do good things, those things you know thatt please the Lord and you will recieve a blessing. 3. look for the opportunity and do not allow the circumstances stop you from serving all people, especially your church family.
I recall a few years ago during a snow event, many churches in the area were closed. The church I attended decided to remain open. Yes the expense of the operation may not have balanced out with the income taken in that morning. What did happen a young man came for the first time because his church was closed. What happened next as he said to me, today I got saved. He did not change his membership, but he left as a member of God's Kingdom.
Satan bring on the snow we will not be effected by the attempt to be discouraged. You see our text spreaks loud and clear, Christian you will reap in due time good things, that is God's time, just remain faithful.
Be blessed today and I pray this devotional helps you overcome the discouragement what ever that is today for you. Just work hard to do what pleases the Lord and He will provide for you a good thing.
Jesus loves you and so do I.
Pastor Ron
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