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Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Secret Place Uncategorized

The Pardon

Sunlight thru trees-edited“In the year 1829, a Philadelphia man named George Wilson robbed the U.S. mail, killing someone in the process. Wilson was arrested, brought to trial, found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged. Some friends intervened on his behalf, and were finally able to obtain a pardon from him from President Andrew Jackson.

When Wilson was informed, he refused to accept the pardon.

The sheriff was unwilling to exact the sentence since the president had pardoned Wilson. An appeal was made to President Jackson who, in turn, asked the Supreme Court for a ruling. Chief Justice Marshall ruled that a pardon is a piece of paper, the value of which depends on it’s acceptance by the person implicated. If it is refused, then it is not a pardon.

George Wilson was hanged, although a pardon lay on the sheriff’s desk.” **

During this Easter season, I am reminded of this story. We, too, have a pardon that is there for the taking. However, our pardon is not written in ink by the hand of a president, in order to save us from the hangman’s noose…

Our pardon is written in blood by the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, in order to save us from an eternity of torment — forever separated from Him.

And while this free gift of God is available simply for the asking (because He desires that “none should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)), so many reject His pardon, missing out on the life of peace, protection, and promise that life in the Presence of God brings.

So what about you? Will you choose a life of hope and purpose, or an existence of uncertainty.

Will you choose the Rock of Ages, or the stone of judgement?

If you want to choose life everlasting, it is here.

HE is here.

All it takes is a simple prayer of faith…

“Jesus… I am a sinner. Please come into my life and save me. I know You died to pay the price for my sins. Thank You for all You did for me on Calvary. I accept Your gift, and ask You to be my Lord and Savior! Thank You Jesus for saving me.”

If you prayed that prayer… CONGRATULATIONS! You are now a part of the Family of God!

If you prayed that prayer, please let me know. I would love to hear from you.

Happy Easter!

** from my book… Isaiah: Light for Days of Darkness
Categories
Friendship The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

Nothing But The Blood

Through the Looking Glass     The Petersen House in Washington D.C. is the house across the street from Ford’s Theatre where a mortally wounded Abraham Lincoln was taken after being shot by John Wilkes Boothe. A few hours later, Lincoln succumbed to his wounds and, as then-Secretary of War Edwin Stanton observed, passed into the ages.

    For years, his blood-stained pillow remained on display – a testimony to the horrific events of April 14, 1865, and the violent death of one of our greatest presidents.

     A while back, some friends of mine visited the Petersen House only to discover that the pillow had been removed, and placed into storage. The only item that contained the blood of the Great Emancipator had been taken out of public sight, and put into a place where it could, potentially, be forgotten.

     As Christians, we must never let it be forgotten that it is only by the blood — the blood of Jesus — that we have been forgiven. We must never forget the price that was paid when Jesus spilled His blood, and willingly gave up His life out of love for us.

     In this time of history revisionism and self-obsession, as well as being an appropriate reminder during this Holy Week, may this story remind us all that we must never lose sight of the ONLY thing that can save us… the blood of Jesus.

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Healing Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith

A Traveler’s Journal: Finishing the Race

In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis said, “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this”.

wpid-IMG_20130319_211953.jpgPaul compared the Christian life to a race, encouraging us to run the race with consistency, determination, and commitment (see Hebrews 12). A long-distance race is not won by the short distance sprinter… it is won by the one who paces himself, and runs the race with endurance and skill, having conditioned himself for the task.

AHCCHaving just returned from a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, and seeing the need that exists there, it brings that analogy of “the race” closer to home. While people who do the “big thing” do a lot to advance the work of the Kingdom of God, the Bible says that we should not despise the day of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). The fact is that most people do not have the wherewithal to pay for an orphanage, or supply drinking water to an entire village; however, we can all do the small, consistent thing – the small gifts that, when joined together, make the huge difference that can change the world.

What makes up a $100 bill? 10,000 individual pennies.

Landfill

How do you change the world? One single, solitary heart at a time.

In our current economy, it is easy to lose hope when it comes to giving. It is easy to lose sight of the small, consistent thing we can all do in the shadow of the desire to do the big thing. We all have the desire to do something, but it is easy to succumb to a spirit of condemnation and defeat when we either cannot do all we think we should, or in some way fail to do what we have committed to. Sometimes, throwing up the white flag of surrender seems easier than trying to win the race.

However, maybe Paul knew something that we all forget too easily. Maybe Paul knew that it is not always about winning as much as it is about finishing. Just maybe, Paul knew that, in the Christian life, the winning is in the finishing.

AHCC2Here at Ron Phillips Ministries and Abba’s House, we are reaching the world in a variety of ways. Not only do we have our international television program, Ron Phillips from Abba’s House, and our associated print and media ministry, but we are also involved in a variety of mission projects, not just here in the United States, but around the world. Jerusalem, Guatemala, South Dakota, the Dominican Republic – just a few places in the world we are reaching through the generosity of faithful partners and friends who make what we do possible.

If you have given to Ron Phillips Ministries in the past, words cannot express our gratefulness to you, or the impact you have made on the lives of so many people.

If you have not given, but would like to be a part of something bigger than yourself, it only takes one thing… a willingness to start. When you give to Ron Phillips Ministries, you can be confident that your gift is going to share the Gospel of Jesus, whether through television, internet, or boots-on-the-ground mission work around the world.

Will you help us? Will you use this opportunity to make a fresh start in giving to the work of God around the world?

Crusade

Please help us change the world… one heart at a time.

If you would like to talk to someone about how you can be a part, call 1-800-877-6493.

You can also contact us online at www.ronphillips.org, or click here to give securely online.

If you would like more information on how you can partner with Ron Phillips Ministries, click here.

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Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith

A Traveller’s Journal: Dominican Republic – Day 1

We’ve just concluded the first day of the Pastor’s Conference, and what a powerful time we had! After some great teachings by my friends Bob Vineyard and Randall Collins, I spoke to the gathering of pastors about moving into their God-sized future, and not resting in either the triumphs or failures of the past.

At the end of the session, I invited those in attendance who wanted a fresh-filling of the Holy Spirit to stand…

I don’t think there was a single person who remained seated! Hallelujah!

There is such unity and hunger in this place for the Presence of God. I don’t think I have ever, in all my years of ministry, seen the cross-denominational unity I am experiencing here in the Dominican Republic. The churches here are moving as one in their desire to see the Dominican Republic be won for Christ.

And thanks to the generous partnership of so many, we were able to give Spanish-language versions of my book, “A God-Sized Future”, to every pastor in attendance.

Tonight, Pastor Ronnie Jr. will be bringing a fresh word to a crowd that, from all we are hearing, could exceed 10,000. Please pray for a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit- salvation for the lost, and a fresh touch for all of the believers.

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

How to Change the World (with a Frog as Your Spokesman)

Through the Looking Glass        When James and Richard met at a convention, they seemed destined to work together. They entered into a creative partnership, and led a team of performers that brought smiles to the faces of children and adults alike for decades.

Speaking about working with his team, James once said that…

“I’ve never felt any sense of competition with anybody, we’re all friends; we’re all good friends.”

Isn’t that how the Body of Christ should be? No competition… just each person operating in their gifts, while celebrating the gifts of others while we press toward a common goal: Reaching the world with the love of Jesus.

James ‘Jim’ Henson and Richard Frank Oznowicz – aka ‘Frank Oz’- were the driving force behind the Muppets, making the world laugh at the antics of Kermit the Frog and his friends.

If a small group of puppeteers can make the world smile, how much more should a unified Body of Christ have the ability to change that same world through love?

DR mapThis week…

I will be ministering with a small group of very gifted friends as we bring the light of Jesus to the people of the Dominican Republic. We will be ministering to local pastors (as well as their wives and staff), and doing street evangelism. In the evenings, we will be holding open-air crusades at a local sports stadium, and sharing the Gospel to the masses in the Santiago area. My son, Ronnie Jr., will be ministering at these events, and sharing the word God has laid on his heart for the people there. It is going to be a powerful time of salvation, healing, and Holy Spirit power.

We are praying that lives will be forever changed.

We are praying for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the people of that area.

We are believing God for thousands of souls to be added to the eternal roll of the Kingdom of God.

Will you join us? Will you pray for our team? Will you partner with us in prayer for the salvation of the people of the Dominican Republic?

Keep following along this week. I will be commenting and keeping you updated as often as possible.

We are believing for God to change the Dominican Republic… one heart at a time.

Have a blessed week, everyone!

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Living It Out In Real Time Miracles Out of Nowhere The Life of Faith

Mission: Dominican Republic

DR mapWe’re just a few days away from another exciting mission opportunity. On Monday, March 18, I will be joining a team of missionaries from Abba’s House, led by my son Pastor Ronnie Phillips Jr., and traveling to the Dominican Republic. This is going to be an amazing opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Santiago and Cienfuegos.

In the mornings, I will be leading a Pastor’s Conference with the help of Randall Collins and Bob Vineyard. We will be ministering to approximately 100 pastors (as well as church members and staff), and speaking into their lives and ministries.

Our mission teams will be participating in street evangelism, and visiting the landfills where the poor go to rummage through the garbage trying to find food as well as items to sell. We will also be visiting the Abba’s House Children’s Center, a youth center set up by Pastor Jose Rodriquez, that provides food, education, and Bible study for around 100 children per day. His wife, Anyolina, also provides medical help through a nearby medical clinic she runs in Santiago.

In the evenings, Pastor Ronnie Jr. will be preaching at a crusade, “Tu Hora Con Ha Dios Llesado” (Your time with God has arrived), that will be held in the local sports arena. They are expecting tens of thousands in attendance, and we are believing for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and thousands of professions of faith in Jesus Christ.

So, will you join your faith with ours? Will you pray for our team as they travel to the Dominican Republic to share the love of Jesus? If we pray together, believing in what God can do, there is no limit to the possibilities that await us there. Please pray for our team all next week, as they travel in obedience to Jesus’ command to “go into the world and preach the Gospel”. Please lift them up to the Father for safety, protection, divine opportunities, and a mighty harvest of souls!

RPM Logo

A final note…

One of the things that I stress to my mission teams is this question:

How do you change the world?

The answer is… One heart at a time.

Whether it is the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Gambia, or places closer to home, at Ron Phillips Ministries, we are sharing the love of Jesus through television, internet, and boots-on-the-ground mission work all over the world.

Maybe you can’t go, but maybe you can give.

Would you be a part in helping us share the love of Jesus? Would you be a part in helping us win the lost for Him? When you donate to Ron Phillips Ministries, you help us reach the world with the saving message of Jesus. You can be a part! To find out more, click here.

Help us change the world… one heart at a time!

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The Life of Faith

Pope Francis I

Sunlight thru trees-editedThis is the year of the church, in spite of so many liberal attacks on our faith.

In spite of the denominational lines that define the differences between Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Charismatics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, etc., billions of people across the globe still name the NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, and still bow their knees to Christ.

Congratulations to all of our friends of the Catholic faith on the election of Pope Francis I. He has taken the name of St. Francis of Assisi, a priest known as an evangelist and missionary. He comes from South America, a hotbed of Charismatic Catholicism.

Pope Francis I is the first pope to bow down and ask the people to pray for him. What humility! Let us pray, as fellow believers, that God will use this man as an instrument to turn the world back to Christ.

May the life and leadership of Pope Francis I echo the words of St. Francis as he guides Catholic believers “to follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps.”

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

Hollywood & A Holy Perspective

Through the Looking Glass                      Randall Wallace is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director, having worked on such movies as Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, The Man In The Iron Mask, and Secretariat.         Mr. Wallace had this to say about his faith…

“An essential reason that I am Christian

is that I fully understand

that I’m not God… I need God.” *

Wallace Sword

Mr. Wallace understands a couple of truths that some politicians, performers, and pagans for years have failed to come to grips with:

Truth #1: There is a God in Heaven Who is holy, righteous, loving, merciful and just.

Truth #2: You are NOT Him.

We do ourselves and God a great disservice when we ascribe to Him our flawed humanity instead of the glory and honor that are due Him. We as the creation must continually resist the urge to make the Creator less than what He is… HOLY.

I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.” ~ Isaiah 43:15

*(http://www.pluggedin.com/upfront/2011/randallwallaceracingthegoodrace.aspx)
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Fresh Oil New Wine 2013 Healing Miracles Out of Nowhere The Life of Faith

Healing Miracles (The Gift of Faith)

FONW PromoAt this year’s Fresh Oil New Wine Conference, the theme and focus has been “Where Healing Begins”. We are now three days in, and are hearing so many stories of miraculous healing taking place. Cancerous tumors shrinking, vision problems corrected, bones and joints being healed before our eyes… the list goes on and on. It is amazing to be standing in the river of God’s healing power, and watching the healing waters pour over so many. All praise be to God!

FONW 4One of our speakers, Randy Clark, spoke about faith being a gift, and how when we are healed, it not only builds our faith as the person healed, but it builds the faith of others as well. By testifying to the healing power that becomes manifest when you are healed, it gives that gift of faith to others. It gives others the hope that, the same healing power of God that healed you can heal them as well. The same promises of God that you claimed are available to them.

FONW 3

I would love to know your story of healing. If God has touched and healed you, would you share your story with me? Several people have already shared wonderful stories of God’s goodness, but I want to hear yours as well. Please follow the link below, and tell me your story in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

Tell Me More…

FONW 5

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Fresh Oil New Wine 2013 Healing Living It Out In Real Time Miracles Out of Nowhere The Life of Faith The Secret Place

Tell Me More…

FOWN Altar

Our annual Fresh Oil New Wine 2013 Conference is under way, and what an amazing way to start it off! Yesterday, we witnessed dozens of healing miracles happening right before our eyes. People being healed of all manner of illnesses, conditions, and diseases. The reports have been nothing short of amazing!

While I believe healing builds the faith of the person receiving that healing, I also believe that testimonies of those healing miracles help to build the faith of others. Personal testimony has a powerful effect, on both the one testifying as well as those listening.

FONW WorshipI want to hear from YOU!

I want to hear your story of healing!

If God has touched you with miracle healing power already, I want to know. Please leave me a comment and tell me your story. I would like to share it, here on the blog (your comments will be viewable by others who follow the blog), as well as on Twitter and Facebook, so that others can rejoice with you, and find hope for themselves by the testimony of what God has done for you.

Talk to me.

Tell me more.

PLEASE… share YOUR story in the comment section below.

FONW2013