Category: Friendship

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Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Big Event The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God Through The Looking Glass

The Journey Home

Through The Looking Glass2

I once heard the story of an old missionary couple that was returning home after years of faithful service on the mission field. As their journey across the sea began, they discovered that they were sharing their ship with none other than President Theodore Roosevelt.

Activity swirled around the President as the old couple went virtually unnoticed.

Finally, when the ship arrived in New York, bands and dignitaries came out to greet the President, while the old couple slipped off of the ship, and disappeared into the crowd.

The old man became bitter with God about the fact that they were in no way recognized. Complaining to his wife about how unfair it was, his wife encouraged him to take it up with God.

After a short time, the old man emerged from their bedroom with a changed countenance. He explained to his wife that, as he was complaining to God about not being recognized on returning home, the Holy Spirit gently spoke to him and said…

“You’re not home yet.”

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Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Big Event The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

When Technology Touches Heaven (Can you hear me now?)

Prayer2We all need prayer. Chances are that, in the past month, you have either asked someone for prayer, or have been asked by someone else to pray for them. However, with all of our busy schedules, and the cares in all of our own lives, it is easy to let the life of prayer slip, and forget to perform the very act (prayer) that can make the most difference in our lives, and in the lives of others. It’s easy to fall into the enemy’s trap, and allow fear to replace faith, and panic to replace prayer.

Well, here’s a simple little thought that might help you. It involves tapping into the limitless power or prayer with the power of…

Your cell phone.

A friend shared this with me. He uses his cell phone to set reminders to pray for people at specific times during the day. He taps into Heaven by tapping into his phone and setting up reminders to pray for specific people, needs, etc. With such a busy society, we can all use a little help from time to time. Why not use the technology that most of us are already paying for, and is usually no more than an arm’s reach away? It’s a very simple idea, but one that can have a great impact. Here are some suggestions…

1) Pick a time in your day that you can, typically, spend a few minutes in prayer.

2) Set a daily reminder on your phone to pray for specific needs, people, etc.

3) When your reminder goes off, stop what you are doing (if possible) and spend a few minutes in prayer for those needs your reminder is set for.

4) Set multiple reminders during the course of the day. You might set one for specific people, and another for something like “What is on my heart right now”, or “What I am worrying about this moment.”

Many of you reading this may already have a powerful prayer life. If you do, that is great. However, if you don’t pray regularly, this might be just the thing to set you on the path to consistency and power in your prayer life.

Pastor Ron

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Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 Friendship Healing Living It Out In Real Time The Big Event The Life of Faith

A Life In Disagreement

This week marks a milestone in my ministry. My son Ronnie and I recently wrote a book together called The Power of Agreement, and this week, it hit the bookstore stands.

Charisma House (our publisher) recently featured an article by Ronnie in their online publication (www.charismamag.com).  I thought, for today’s blog, I would share Ronnie’s article with all of you. Enjoy!

“Can we agree to disagree?”

How many times have you heard that? How many times have you said it yourself? It’s a pretty popular saying, especially in the political and socially diverse environment in which we find ourselves today, but it’s a sad thing when all you have in common with another person is the fact that you disagree. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except they are agreed?” (NKJV). That’s kind of the million-dollar question—a question for which I had a resounding answer: Nope.

Growing up in the church, I had more than enough to disagree with. I’m not talking about theology, worship style, legalism or anything related to your admission into the pearly gates. My disagreements were far more simple and personal. As the son of the preacher, my disagreements were with unrealistic expectations placed upon me by those who thought they knew me by virtue of my name. My jumping-off point was with how “good church folk” treated my family (in particular my father) and the abuse we suffered at the hands of such people.

At the ripe old age of 23, I was mad at God, through with church, and living a life that in no way reflected my upbringing as a preacher’s kid. As a result of my poor decisions and the root of bitterness that had me firmly entangled, my relationships were strained, my marriage was a mess, and I was trying to deal with the pain, regret and humiliation of life by hiding inside a bottle. I was working my way up the corporate ladder in my secular job, but beyond that, everything else was crashing around me.

Yet in spite of the disagreements, fights, feuds and other assorted turmoil I had put my dad through, I still had to admit that he was my best friend. While I had done my best to push him away, my father, the son of an alcoholic-father-turned-church-deacon, knew what it was to be cast aside, knew the power and price of redemption, and knew that the best way to win over the object of your disagreement is with love.

Now, the problem with any disagreement is that the vast majority of the time, someone is in the right and someone is in the wrong. It pretty much went without saying that based on my lifestyle, I was wrong—although my dad would also be quick to admit he was not without fault. Still, I hung on to my bitterness and anger like a lifeline and refused to give an inch. I refused, that is, until I found myself on the bathroom floor—a total wreck—crying out and yelling at God. After consuming an inordinate amount of alcohol and a screaming match with my wife, I had collapsed on the floor of our bathroom late one night. Totally freaked out, she knew of nothing else to do than to call my father. I challenged her to do so, thinking he wouldn’t come. Ashamed and confused, I had no use for myself anymore. I figured he didn’t either.

In the middle of one of the darkest nights of my life, there was a knock at my door. It was my dad.

My initial reaction to seeing him was a hate-filled rant that quickly devolved into the cry of the prodigal. Once the angst-filled rebel gave way to the worn-down prodigal, the next couple of hours were filled with cries of remorse, tears of forgiveness, and promise—the promise of healed relationships and renewed commitment to my family, my heavenly Father and the calling He had placed on my life.

Someone smarter than me once said that the problem with running from God is that usually you end up running into Him. Living a life of disagreement with the godly people God has placed in our lives and being forever at odds with our gifts and calling will only lead to ruin and an up-close-and-personal view of the bathroom floor.

Is there happiness in disagreement? Sure. Even the Bible alludes to that in passages like Hebrews 11:25: “He [Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (NIV).

However, the momentary happiness that a self-serving life brings pales in comparison to the life lived in agreement with the call of God. Pleasures lose their luster. Riches lose their value. Prestige lasts until the next shiny new employee comes along. The only life that has any lasting, eternal value is the one lived for Christ.

Now, years later, I’ve left the parties with my friends for the peace and contentment of my family. I’ve given up the life of egotistical and selfish disagreement for agreement and harmony with my fathers (earthly and heavenly). I traded in the confinement of self-imposed loneliness and unworthiness for the wide-open spaces of promise and hope that only a life in agreement with God’s call can bring.

And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

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America Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Big Event The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

The Fine Art of Carrying Cats

Through The Looking Glass2

I love this quote by Mark Twain…

“A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.”

Our personal experiences – good and bad – make us who we are. Experience can be a brutal teacher. What we go through in life, and how we deal with it, can either make us or break us. Being gracious when times are good, and not becoming bitter when times are bad are both equally important.

Regardless of which applies to you on any given day, none of it is getting past your Heavenly Father. The Bible says that He “works all things together for good for those who love Him”. That means that He knows what you are going through, and regardless of what it is, He is going to turn it around for your good.

That’s a promise I can live with. How about you?

Pastor Ron

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The Nature of Scorpions

Recently, I saw a post on social media in which a person, obviously hostile to Christianity, was taking scripture completely out of context trying to make a point (that, incidentally, was entirely contrary to scripture and the teachings of Jesus). When a person of faith chimed in on the post and, respectfully, called them out on their error, the hostile voice responded by chastising this person with yet more out-of-context scripture. The exchange was almost comical, had it not been so disturbing. It reminded me of the joke about the man who was looking for the will of God for his life. He said, “God, I need you to show me what to do with the rest of my life.” The man then proceeded to close his eyes, open his Bible, and drop his finger onto a verse. He opened his eyes and read the words…

“… And he (Judas) went out and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:5)

“No, no, no. That can’t be it!” said the man. “Ok, God. I’m going to try again.” He repeated the exercise, and read…

“… Go and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

Exasperated, the man cried out, “God, I’m serious here! One last try… please!” One final time, the man repeated his ritual, and looking at the newest scripture, read these words…

“… What you are about to do, do quickly.” (John 13:27)

The Strength of Error

Error is a pervasive disease. So much of what we see and hear through media is nothing but out-and-out lies. That’s why we need to be zealous for the truth in living it as well as embracing it and preaching it to those who are around us. Those in the grip of error often do not see it. We must bring them to the light of truth. Those who are growing in the LORD will be able to discern error.

The spirit of the Antichrist is at work in our nation. This spirit denies the deity of Christ and stands against everything we believe in. It breeds lawlessness and the breakdown of society. Secular humanism is the polite name we give to this spirit of error.

Dr. Bill Bright, the late director of Campus Crusade for Christ, once said…

Have you ever wondered why our society is becoming more secular, why prayer and Bible reading are no longer welcome in our public schools? The religion of humanism is largely responsible. Have you ever wondered why Americans are much more tolerant today of sexual freedom, homosexuality, incest, and abortion? The religion of humanism is largely responsible.”

James 5:19-20 warns us that error leads to death.

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

The moment we correct a lie, or refuse to embrace one, we are fighting against sin multiplying. However, if we allow the lie to run rampant, we are going to see “spiritual corpses” falling all around us.

scorpionI think of the childhood story of the scorpion and the frog. The scorpion asked the frog to carry him across the river. The reluctant frog, fearing the death-dealing sting, tried to politely decline, but was finally convinced by the eloquent words of the scorpion. When they reached the middle of the river, the scorpion stung the frog. “Why did you do that??? Now we will both die!” cried the frog as he felt the poison sear through his body. The scorpion answered, “But it is in my nature to sting.”

It is the nature of Satan to destroy. Maybe you are reading this, and have refused the free gift of salvation. Maybe you have lived for years proclaiming yourself to be a Christian, but inwardly, you know there has never been a true change in your life. If you would like to have a personal relationship with Jesus, He is a prayer away. Just pray…

Lord, forgive me for believing a lie for so long. I now believe that without Christ, I am lost. I receive His death and resurrection as my only hope. I accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Maybe you are reading this, and you have been feeling the temptations offered in the infectious pull of error. Maybe you have been considering allowing the smooth-talking scorpion to ride on your back. While it may seem harmless at first, the “scorpion of error” has a painful sting that is inherent in it’s very nature. Don’t listen to the lies! Allow yourself to embrace only the truth. Stand on the living Word of God, and the righteous truth it contains. Choose a life of freedom and promise, based on God’s principles. Stand on the power and authority of the Word of God, and pray this prayer…

In Jesus’ name, I bind the spirit of error, and command you to leave my mind. I refuse and reject all lies and twisted thoughts you have brought to me. I here and now in my life loose the spirit of truth. I love you, Jesus. Thank You for setting me free from the lies of the enemy.

If you would like more information on what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, or to speak to someone, simply follow this link.

May God richly bless you as you walk in your new-found freedom!

Pastor Ron

— Today’s blog was, in part, adapted from my book,
Everyone’s Guide to Demons & Spiritual Warfare

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Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 Friendship Healing Living It Out In Real Time The Big Event The Life of Faith The Secret Place

Come Home for Easter

20140416-153053.jpgAs I write this, it is a beautiful (albeit unseasonably chilly) day in Chattanooga, TN. Although it hasn’t seemed like it the past couple of days (30’s and rainy), spring is in the air (as is the pollen), and that means a time of new beginnings: New foliage, new life, new birth… Tennessee is such a beautiful place in the spring.

 

20140416-153206.jpgThis Sunday is Easter, and while there are a hundred things I could say on the subject of our Lord’s resurrection, and the significance of this day, I simply want to invite you to join us at Abba’s House for Easter. We will be celebrating all that this day means, and we would love for you to come and be a part.

 

Maybe you haven’t been to church in years? Easter is a time of new beginnings. There is no time like the present to start again.

Maybe you feel unworthy of the sacrifice that was made for you? We all are. However, a relationship with Jesus is not about our worthiness (or lack thereof) – it’s all about His goodness.

Maybe you’ve been hurt by a church in the past? If you have a bad experience at a restaurant, does that mean you just stop eating? It’s time to let go of those experiences that keep you bound and trust God to show you the place you belong.

20140416-153301.jpgThe fact is, you can probably come up with a hundred reasons why you can’t make it to church this Easter. What I’m encouraging you to do is to have the courage to recognize that ONE reason why you should, and follow that voice.

And chances are, even if the reason isn’t there — the Voice probably is… inviting you to come.

Our service begins at 10:30a.m.

This is your invitation. It’s time for you to come home.

Pastor Ron

Daystar1

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America Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Bible The Big Event The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

Come Home

Easter is just around the corner. It’s a time of resurrection, new life, and new beginnings. More than probably any other season, Easter best represents the hope we have because without the resurrection, the birth and death of Jesus would have little power. There are plenty of religions in the world whose object of affection is lying in a grave. As Christians, we serve the former Occupant of an empty tomb; we serve a Savior who conquered death, Hell, and the grave, rose from the dead, and is seated in a place of honor above all powers, kings, dominions, and principalities.

AH StatueI would like to take this blog today to invite you to come home to Abba’s House this Easter. No matter where you have been, what you have done, or what you have gone through, there is a God who loves you, and wants to spend eternity with you. He is the Father who is standing on the porch, waiting for you to come home so He can wrap you in His arms, and give you a place of honor at the table.

Please join us Easter Sunday, April 20 at 10:30a.m. There’s always room for more, and Abba’s House is a place of love, acceptance, and joy. I would love to see you, meet you, and let you know how much you mean to our Heavenly Father, and how important you are to Him.

So come join us this Easter.

Come into His Presence.

Come home to Abba’s House.

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Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Secret Place Through The Looking Glass

When The Mighty Oaks Fall…

For about 14 years, I had a radio program called CenterPoint. The person who produced my program was a recording-producer who was a member of my church.

Sunlight thru trees-editedA few years back, we had a series of storms and tornadoes come through our area, and there was a LOT of damage throughout the region. On our first visit back to the studio after the storms, while there was no damage to his home or studio, there was significant damage to my producer’s property (it was actually determined by the NWS that a tornado had, in fact, passed across the back of his property). He told me that the thing that really made an impression was that, although he had many smaller pine trees (which in our area have very shallow roots, and fall fairly regularly), it was actually several mighty oak trees that fell. In one place, three that were close to each other fell together, decimating everything around them… including some trees that were larger. He told me that, while he was never surprised when the pines fell, he never really concerned himself with the oaks. They seemed nearly invincible.

Snow 1JSometimes, what happens in the natural is a picture of what is going on in the spirit. How many times have we put our trust in something or someone we deem greater than ourselves, only to watch them fall, and leave those around devastated? How many times have we looked at the “mighty oaks” in our lives for security, only to watch them collapse, and leave us questioning everything else? How often have we seen the “small trees” in our life lead to the demise of that in which we placed an inordinate amount of faith and trust, leaving us shaken and confused?

So, what is their problem? How could they let us down like that? How could they put us in this “crisis of faith”?

Maybe the problem is not with them at all.

Maybe the problem is with us. Maybe it is our unreasonable expectations and misplaced faith that led us to this place of crisis.

Putting our faith and trust in anything or anyone but God will, inevitably, lead to disappointment. After all, He is the only One with the ability to make good on such a promise…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways acknowledge Him,
    and He shall direct your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Sometimes, when all is stripped away, we find that the love of God is the only thing we have left.

However, it is at those lowest of times that we find that the love of God is all that we really need.

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Easter and the Blood Moon

This year, as I have said, is the “year of the open door” in Hebrew. This is based on the fact that the Hebrew word for 4 is “dalat” which is a gateway. Also, 14 is a double 7, which indicates a double completion.

Among Anglo-Saxons, the number four represents a galloping horse. This can be found on the edge of the British one ounce silver coin this year.

So we are faced with a year of “due season”… open gateways while the galloping horses of Revelation seem to be approaching. Or could it be something else? Could it be that God’s people are being turned from sheep to horses for these last days?

Blood-Moon14The month of April is pregnant with prophetic symbols. We are seeing the release in March/April of four movies based on scriptural themes. Two of those movies relate to the end times, “Noah” and the release of the remake of “Left Behind” (starring Nicholas Cage). We are indeed moving into the “days of Noah” and the “days of Lot”…

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. ~ Luke 17:26-30 (NKJV)

Add to all of this “a blood moon” on Passover (April 15).

What does this mean to us? Why should this matter?

Well, on Easter Sunday (April 20), one-billion people worldwide will participate in various services and gatherings during those 24 hours. I believe that if Christians everywhere would get to church on that Sunday, and come together in agreement for what God can do, April could represent a significant shift in our nation and our world.

Here is the day we cross a line in the sand, as Prophet Johnny Enlow states. The church will rise in our full identity to take back our nation and impact our world.

The people of Abba’s House are asked to gather on April 12th, in advance of Easter Sunday, and until Easter to impact our city.

If you love the Lord, America, and our way of life, get to church (or back to church) this Easter.

I am calling on every member on our rolls — as well as every guest, every friend, and every person without a church — to join us at 9:15 for LifeGroups and 10:30 for Worship on Easter Sunday. Our gathering in unity will release an avalanche of blessing from the heavenlies.

This past year I broke the yoke off of our area for its treatment of the Cherokee Indians. The three stranded cord of Ecclesiastes that cannot be broken is in place (our Church, first nations, and Israel). I have been to both ends of the Trail of Tears and to Israel in the last 12 months. My son Ronnie Jr. and I will release a book called The Power of Agreement later this year.

Our gathering this Easter is critical for the nation. I am asking all people nationwide to gather in a spirit-filled church on Easter.

Pastor Ron

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America Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Secret Place Through The Looking Glass

To Tell The Truth

Former President William Howard Taft once said:

Don’t write so that you can be understood…
write so that you can’t be misunderstood.

Wars have been started over misunderstandings. Careers have been destroyed because of something someone said or wrote decades ago — things they thought long forgotten. I find it interesting during political interviews and debates when, asked a simple question, a candidate gives a two-minute response, and still never actually answers the question. In the age of social media, we hear horror stories all the time regarding simple misunderstandings that are blown out of proportion. Someone makes a comment on Twitter or Facebook which is promptly misunderstood or taken out of context. It is then regurgitated by someone else, and pretty soon feelings are hurt, relationships are destroyed, and the character assassins have more than enough to keep them busy for days and weeks to come.

And why all the misunderstanding? Because, in many cases, people are more concerned with being socially or politically correct than being honest.

Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.

Jesus said to “let your yes be yes, and your no be no”. He encouraged us to speak the truth with love.

BibleSometimes the truth is tough.

Sometimes the truth is difficult to say, and harder to hear.

Sometimes the truth hurts worse than a slap in the face or a punch in the chest.

In the movie The Dark Knight Rises, Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred, has a great quote:

Maybe it’s time we all stop trying to outsmart the truth, and let it have its day.

That’s good advice that we would all do well to heed. Maybe it’s time for we in the Church to be honest with each other, and operate with the truth and integrity that God has called us all to. After all, how can we expect people to hear the truth that can set them free if we ourselves are not operating in truth. And the great thing about speaking the truth is that no one who speaks the truth ever has to remember what it was they said in the past.

God is a God of truth, and in Him there is “no shadow of turning”. As long as we are standing on the truth of His Word, we never have to worry about where it is we are standing.