Tuesday, 30 September 2008 05:51 by
ronnieI want to say forgive me for using a four-letter word. Actually it’s a six-letter word but it might as well be a four-letter word because it makes people cringe when they hear it. The word is – brace yourselves – CHANGE! It takes courage to change. The gate of mediocrity is wide and the road is paved in moderation. It’s a place where the crowd is kind and quick to pull you. One thing about it, it’s safe and sound, or at least it gives the illusion that it is. But, it takes being brave to move out of the way it’s always been. It takes courage to say so long, status quo. We must be willing to see change as a good thing. It is an opportunity for a new horizon. Change can impact the world; open new doors of ministry, and at the same time tear people apart. Usually when we encounter change that we do not like we complain to someone else about. Believe me when I say, “change is uncomfortable for all of us.” It seems that in the church change is very difficult. We have done things the same way for so long many are unwilling to even discuss the possibility of doing it different. I understand how difficult change can be. My family and I moved here from a town of 85,000 people. Our children had grown up in Christian education, and are now, for the first time attending public school. We left relationships that have 14 years invested in them. Is change easy? NO! Is it right? YES! Is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Jesus talked about the importance of change in our lives. “No one sews a patch of un-shrunk cloth over a hole in an old coat. Otherwise, the patch will shrink and pull away – the new patch will pull away from the old coat – then the hole will be worse. Also no one ever pours new wine into old leather bags. Otherwise, the new wine will break the bags, and the wine will be ruined along with the bags. But new wine should be put into new leather bags.”Mark 2:21-22 (NLT) What does a patch of un-shrunk cloth sown on an old garment and an old wineskin filled with new wine have in common? Neither of them cope with their environment very well. Jesus is saying you and I need to be able to adapt to new circumstances and situations in our lives. The whole ministry of Jesus was about change. He was endeavoring to move people from the old way of coming to God to the new way. Do you think people had a problem with it. Obviously, they killed Him... I'm telling you some people really don't like change. More this week on this difficult subject. My question is what do you need to change?
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Wednesday, 24 September 2008 05:38 by
ronnieHello blog world. I know it's been a while. I have to ask you a question, it's the question God asked me this morning. "What hill do you go to?" Actually it's a question God asked the children of Israel. The question comes to a nation that continually ran to their own gods. Is my life any different? I mean don't I have things that I run to in my own life? Don't I have a hill of my own? Don't you have a hill you run fast to? Maybe it's the addiction, the opinion of others, the doom and gloom report on the news, work,... I don't know what it is for you, but I do know that the David said, "I will lift up my eyes to the hill of God." I am running to God's hill. FAST!!!!!!!!!! That's it, pretty simple and something to think about. Oh, by the way, it's the only hill that really brings the help we desperately need.
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Friday, 12 September 2008 06:34 by
ronnie
Proverbs 10:19 says, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” I don’t know about you, but I love to talk, in fact at times a can really control the conversation especially after a good “Espresso” Here's a verse that will step on your toes! Where words are many, sin is not absent. What's that all about? What kind of words? Words that are empty and void of substance...words that are full of anger, bitterness and resentment...words that are full of pride, ego and "it's all about me"… words that are arrogant rants, selfish tantrums, opinionated outbursts...words that are insensitive, hurtful, critical, damaging...words that are out of place, inappropriate, lacking in judgment...How do you avoid talking too much? It’s really easy, well maybe not…. be slow to speak and quick to listen. The old saying is true, “what goes around comes around.” If you think your words don’t come around full circle, you are sadly mistaken. If you think the person you are sharing gossip with is not telling someone else until the person you are talking about hears it, you are wrong. What was it that kept the children of Israel out of the promised land? It was their words – they murmured and complained. The second time around God said, this is not going to happen again. To put His words in our language God said, “Shut-up and march.” Are people running from you? Not answering your calls? Avoiding contact? Could be a "words" problem. Be sensible and turn off the flow!
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Wednesday, 10 September 2008 06:00 by
ronnieHow much of your life have you wasted trying to gain the approval of others? Our self-concept is determined not only by how we view ourselves but by how we think others perceive us. Basing our self-worth on what we believe others think of us causes us to become addicted to their approval. We spend much of our time building relationships, striving to please people and win their respect. And yet, after all of our sincere, conscientious effort, it takes only one unappreciative word from someone to ruin our sense or self-worth. The world we live in is filled with people who demand that we please them in exchange for their approval and acceptance. Such demands often lead us directly to the false belief: I must be approved by certain others to feel good about myself. The fear of rejection is rampant and widespread in our world today. Turning to others for what only God can provide is a direct result of our acceptance of the approval addiction. Virtually all of us if we are honest fear rejection. We can fall prey to it even when we've learned to harden our defenses in anticipation of someone's disapproval. Usually, rejection is manifested by an outburst of anger, a disgusted look, an impatient answer, or a social snub. Nothing hurts quite like the message of rejection. When we feel inadequate we find ourselves trying to win the approval of others, only to realize the approval of others is never enough to satisfy us. God's solution to the fear of rejection is based on the sacrificial payment for our sins. Through this payment, we find forgiveness, reconciliation, and total acceptance through Jesus. Because of reconciliation, we are completely acceptable to and by God. We must change the basis of our self-worth. Certainly withdrawal from our dependency of other's approval may cause some pain, yet we will begin to discover true freedom as we understand that our lives mean much more when we realize we can do nothing to contribute to the free gift of God's acceptance of us. We add nothing to our salvation. It is God who seeks us out. Living for an audience of one.
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Monday, 8 September 2008 18:32 by
ronnieThe word just doesn't sound good... it certainly carries with it a negative connotation except when it comes to the Kingdom of Heaven. The word is used in Acts 13:1-3. It's important to note that the word literally means to "set apart". That is exactly what has happened with our Student Ministries Pastor at Lifepoint. Jeremy and Amber Farmer announced Sunday they will be leaving Lifepoint Church to continue there ministry with Lakepointe Church in Hot Springs. I have to believe that God has set them apart for the work that he has called them to do. Life is seasonal as we all know. I can say that the last two years spent with Jeremy and Amber have been a tremendous experience for all of the Lifepoint family. I have never met anyone more passionate and committed to the call of God on his life than Jeremy. He has been a true friend and associate who has risen above and beyond the call of duty. I will truly miss our times together Jeremy. I know that God directed your path here two years ago and I am convinced that He continues to lead you and Amber. I know that your future is bright and we wish you all the best. As I mentioned Sunday we will be receiving a love offering for Jeremy and Amber this Sunday September 14 and praying for them during the service. I would ask that you prayerfully consider what God would have you to give as we send them off in a big way. I don't know maybe we have just taken the word "separated" to always be negative. For me right now I believe that the good hand of God is on Jeremy and Amber for good and that He is orchestrating and directing their lives. That's a positive thing.... Love you guys....
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Monday, 1 September 2008 07:26 by
ronnie"Jesus got into one of the boats,...that belonged to Peter, and asked him to push off a little from the land." It seems rather presumptuous doesn't it? Jesus claims Peter's boat. He doesn't request the use of it. He simply boards the boat and begins to preach. The reality in life is that all boats belong to Him. Your boat is where you spend your day, make your living, and to a large degree live your life. Sometimes we can have the misconception that only those in full-time ministry have to surrender their boat. I really don't even like the term "full-time ministry" because it gives the illusion that anything else is part time. The plant you work in,...the taxi you drive, the office you manage, the business you own, the family you feed and transport - this is your boat. And believe me it's full-time. Everyone one of us is called to live a life that is fully surrendered to the Captain of the boat. It doesn't matter what you do, Jesus wants to board your boat. Jesus says, "Your work is my work." "You drive my truck." "You work on my job site." "You serve my hospital wing." "You serve in my community." Paul said,...be firm, steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord always being superior,excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the LORD, knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the LORD is not futile, it is never wasted or to no purpose. The next time someone ask you what you do, let them know, I am in full-time ministry. Well maybe you don't have to say it, but you should always be aware of it.
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