Tag: Abba’s House

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Friendship Healing Living It Out In Real Time Miracles Out of Nowhere The Bible The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

Whys, Lies, & The Mysteries of God

Why?

It is the single word ground into the bloody soil of every battlefield in the world.

It is buried in the rubble of every civilization, state, and neighborhood that has been devastated by a natural disaster.

It lies in the ashes of the burned-up dreams of a family that just lost everything.

It can be heard in quiet, night-time sobbing of a little girl whose mother just succumbed to cancer.

It resonates in the screams of a father as he buries his son.

It is the shortest, most-asked, and

least-answered question in the English language.

Why?

You’ve heard it asked thousands of times, and while there are sometimes physical reasons that events happen in our lives, reasons – even good reasons – don’t answer why.

Or, to be more specific…

Why did God allow this to happen?

Whether you are just wondering, have gone through something that you have come to terms with, or are in the heat of that emotional torture right now, I don’t presume to have an easy answer for you, or have anything to say that is going to make the pain magically disappear. In reality, I believe we have a very skewed, 21st Century perspective of life, pain, and suffering (and I’m as guilty as the next person). We don’t want to believe that “bad things happen to good people”. We cannot conceive a loving God who allows tragedies and atrocities to occur. We stand on the words of Thomas Jefferson and claim “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, while forgetting the words of Jesus that promised, “…In this world, you will have trouble…”.

Quite honestly, it is a mystery… pure and not-so-simple.

Mystery… one word that encapsulates the very nature of God.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. ~ Isaiah 55:8

The Bible is filled with references pertaining to the mysteries of God. The word mystery, by its very definition, means something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain. There is not the time, knowledge, or vocabulary to begin to explain either the mysteries of God or the mystery that is God. However, there is truth that, while it may not give us answers, can give us hope.

All of us are going to see difficult times. Because of the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the subsequent curse that altered the course of human history from a state of perfection to what we find today, we will all face problems, suffer hardship, and experience death. It all goes back to the verse I mentioned earlier…

… In this world you will have trouble…

But the hope lies in the rest of the verse:

But take heart! I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

While suffering in every conceivable way is part of the deal our ancestors signed in the Garden of Eden, Jesus assures us that He has it all in hand because He has overcome the world.

Whatever we are going through, HE has already been there. Bad things do happen to good people. If you don’t believe me, just think of Jesus. While being the sinless Son of God, He was falsely accused, suffered at the hands of sinners, and was killed in a horrific way by sinners.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

The mystery of this verse lies in the first 4 words: For He made Him… When Jesus went through all of the agony of being our sacrifice on the cross, God didn’t just watch it happen, or even allow it to happen… He MADE it happen. He wrote the law that provided our way of escape as a result of the fall, and then executed the plan even though it would cost Him His only Son. He did that for you.

When you are in your darkest night, there will be no shortage of people making inappropriate (and even stupid) comments. Some people truly want to help, but don’t know what to say, so they say the wrong thing. Some people just want to be judgmental, give you your why in the form of condemnation and criticism, and throw gasoline on your emotional fire. If either of these describe what you have gone through, you are in good company… consider Job. Everything that happened to Job was simply because Satan wanted to prove a point, and God took the challenge – at Job’s expense. When the bottom fell out in Job’s life (along with losing his possessions and health, he tragically lost his ten children), his “friends” showed up, and immediately started telling him everything he may have done wrong. His wife even chimed in, telling him to “curse God and die”. However, after all of the criticism, nay-saying, and unsubstantiated accusations from his friends, Job was vindicated. Not only was Job restored and blessed (even more than previously), but the very people who criticized him had to go through Job in order to be forgiven by God (see Job 42:7-10).

Whatever life sends your way, none of it gets by Him.

The fact of the matter is that God has a pretty profound list of whys as well. Why did God have to allow Jesus to go through all of the frustration, humiliation, sorrow, pain, and death? Why did He decide to offer a faithless, ungrateful, and fallen race a second chance with Him? Why did He decide that we were worth loving when He knew we would fail Him over and over again?

It’s a mystery I don’t understand.

But… I’m sure glad He did.

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

Who Is Writing Your Future?

Through the Looking Glass           As we approach the anniversary of the assassination of one of America’s greatest presidents later this week, I am reminded of this story:

Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln

Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln, was once standing on a crowded railroad platform when he was pushed up against the side of the train by the pressing crowd. Suddenly, the train began to move, and Robert fell into the space between the platform and the moving train. Facing serious injury or death, he felt someone reach down, grab his collar, and lift him up to safety. As he turned to thank the person who had saved his life, he instantly recognized the face…

It was renowned actor Edwin Booth, the older brother of John Wilkes Booth.

Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln

Following the assassination of President Lincoln at the hands of his brother, Edwin recalled that the memory of saving the son of the slain president was one of the only things that kept him sane in the dark months that followed the night of April 14, 1865.

Is your past is checkered by the notoriety of others, or maybe by your own actions?

If so, I have good news for you…

We serve a God who is bigger than our past, mightier than our memories, and makes all things new!

The past is what it is.

Trust Jesus to write your future.

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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
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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Fresh Oil New Wine 2013

Exciting Days Ahead…

Just wanted to take a moment to say one final word of thanks to everyone who participated in and attended (both in person and online) this year’s Fresh Oil New Wine Conference. After 15 years, it was stronger than ever, and the Presence of God showed up night after night, session after session.

Powerful! Anointed! Glorious!

More than 200 people testified to the healing touch they received during the services. ScrewManifestations of healings were happening right before our eyes. One young lady who had a metal screw that had been left in after surgery came forward to testify of her healing. During one of the services, the screw literally fell out of her flesh! I could go on and on… it was truly a time of miracles, signs, & wonders.

ProductIf you would like to experience the wonderful teaching for yourself, the entire conference is available on CD or DVD. With a lineup like Randy Clark, Walter Hallam, Perry Stone, Ronnie Phillips, Jr., Rabbi Curt Landry, Dwain Miller, and myself, you’ll get hours of miracle-releasing teaching and encouragement. Click here to find out how you can order this set.

After such a wonderful experience, some would say, “It”s time to take a little break, recover, and regroup”.

Not the folks at Abba’s House! We are steaming ahead with a full schedule of exciting events for everyone:

On Sunday, April 14, our choir will combine with the Bayside Baptist Church choir to present “Savior”. This will be a wonderful night of worship. It will begin at 6:00p.m., and admission is FREE!

Third DayOne week later, on April 21, Christian recording artist  Third Day will be in concert at Abba’s House. This is a ticketed event, and will begin at 6:00p.m. Go here for ticket information.

If you have a student in your life that needs to be on a collision-course with the Holy Spirit, then Collide is the event for them! Featuring the ministries of Damon Thompson, Chris Brooks, Ronnie Phillips, Jr., and more, Collide will happen on April 19-20. Click here for more info.

Collide Encounter Weekend will happen July 11-13. Damon Thompson will return, and be joined by Dutch Sheets, Rick Pino, Eddie James, Chris Brooks, and Ronnie Phillips, Jr. I will also be bringing the word during the event, and would love to see you there. Register on-line.

All-American Day. Unique and powerful revelation will be poured out by Evangelist Prophet Dr. Randy Caldwell. Also, if you love Patriotic music, we’ll have a wonderful selection of that as well!

And last, but certainly not least…

Big Event

Big doesn’t begin to describe it! This will be the BIGGEST “BIG EVENT” EVER for Ron Phillips Ministries!!!

On August 21-25, I will be joined by:

Jentezen Franklin

Perry Stone

Randy Caldwell

Tommy Bates

Ronnie Phillips, Jr.

… and more!

Register NOW… it’s FREE!!!!!

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

Where Does Your Healing Begin?

FONW2013If you follow my blog, you know that our church, Abba’s House, is about to kick in to our annual Fresh Oil New Wine Conference (March 3-7, 2013). This year, our focus will be on healing. Do you need healing? Do you know someone who does? Are you ready for that healing to begin? We are looking forward with great anticipation to what God is going to do in the lives of people from all over the country. This will be an exciting time of healing, deliverance, and being witness to the overwhelming love, grace, and power of the Holy Spirit.

I will be joined this week by…

Perry Stone

Randy Clark

Walter Hallam

Rabbi Curt Landry

Dwain Miller

… and Ronnie Phillips, Jr.

You can click on the image link below for more information. The conference is free, but registration is strongly encouraged.

I hope to see you there!!!!!

FONW Promo

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

When The Diagnosis is Defeat

“When adversity comes, you praise God.”

That was what my friend Terry had always been taught. When those tough times come, you just stand there, stare down the storm, and praise God.

However, on January 8, 2012, praising God was not very high on Terry’s priority list. After experiencing some problems, and noticing a lump that had developed only over a couple of days, and that ran from his chest up toward his shoulder, Terry decided to visit his doctor. His doctor was pretty blunt with the assessment:

“You have extensive small cell carcinoma (a very fast growing and aggressive form of cancer). You probably only have 6 to 12 months to live.”

A very shocked Terry had little time to process this news and the implications. He began chemotherapy immediately… the next day to be exact. While the prognosis was grim, doctors were going to try to do what they could to try to help him.

In her book, On Death and Dying, psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross outlines the 5 stages of grief for someone who is dying: Denial (isolation), anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

“I immediately began going through the stages. In the coming weeks, I dealt with anger, denial, and depression.”

But after some initial grieving, something miraculous happened:

Terry found a spark of faith.

He found out that people all over the country were praying for him, praying for his healing. People from all walks of life were joining together in faith for a husband, father, and brother many had not even met.

“I was at my sister’s barber shop”, Terry recalled. “A Christian lawyer was there and asked if he could pray for me. As he prayed, I felt some long-seeded emotional pain begin to disappear. I felt healing – emotional healing – beginning to take place.”

Terry was sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX for more treatment. During his numerous visits to MDA, he would undergo radiation therapy… for three weeks at a time.

After his first stay at MDA, Terry came home. That Sunday, while at Abba’s House for the morning service, Terry came forward for prayer. “As Pastor prayed over me, I could feel the anointing of the Holy Spirit.”

Drawing on these prayers, Terry began to spend more time in personal prayer, time in the Word, and listening to anointed worship music and healing Scriptures. Through his Lifegroup at Abba’s House, Terry was introduced to the book, The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. The book teaches that, if we will just keep “circling” the promises of God through prayer, that God will ultimately deliver. One of Terry’s favorite quotes from the book is “God has determined that certain expressions of His power will only be exercised in response to prayer. Simply put: God will not do it unless you pray for it.”

Holding on to the prayers that had been offered up on his behalf, as well as the belief that his mission on this earth was not over, Terry refused to stop believing in a loving Father who wanted to heal him. He continued to “draw the prayer circle” around his need, and continued to believe for his healing.

On February 13, 2013, Terry was declared “cancer-free” by his doctors! At a time when medical science had all but written him off, Terry believed God. “Don’t stop! Don’t give up,” he says. “God will answer your prayers. It may take a while, but his promises are ‘yes and amen (so be it)’. Hold God to His word, and don’t give doubt the tiniest foothold!”

As you can imagine, the medical cost of a catastrophic illness such as this can be astronomical. However, Terry just smiles, “God has met our needs. Not one bill has gone unpaid. I haven’t worked in over a year. However, we continue to pay our tithes and give, and God miraculously meets our needs”.

God is true to His Word. Throughout Scripture, He gives us His promises to heal and deliver, and His promises are as good today – as “yes and amen” now – as they were when He originally breathed the Word to those who wrote it down.

So here is the question? Do you need healing? Do you want to be healed – physically, emotionally, spiritually?

If the answer is YES, I hope you will join me at this year’s Fresh Oil New Wine Conference. We are believing for a mighty, healing outpouring this year.

Come and get into the circle! For more info, just click the image below…

FONW2013

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The Life of Faith The Secret Place

Do You Know The Secret?

Do you know the path to the Secret Place of the Most High?

To hear more of this teaching, click here.

For more about Pastor Ron’s book, Secret of the Stairs, click here.