Tag: Ron Phillips

Categories
Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 Living It Out In Real Time The Big Event Through The Looking Glass Uncategorized

Living With Pythons

Through the Looking Glass

People make pets out of strange — and sometimes dangerous — creatures. While most of us are satisfied to keep dogs, cats, birds, or fish as pets, for some individuals, their tastes are a little more exotic. Many people have taken to making pets out of pigs, ferrets, lizards, tarantulas, and…

Snakes.

And in South Florida, that has become a rather big problem.

For many years, it was legal for people in the United States to own Burmese pythons as pets. While these snakes start off rather small and manageable, an adult Burmese python typically grows to a length of 12 feet, sometimes reaching 19 feet.

The problem with owning these pets — it is speculated — is that when these snakes grew too big for their owners to care for, the owners simply released them into the wild of the Florida Everglades. Once in the wild, these snake began to breed. Without a natural enemy capable of combating this species, these pythons not only began populating at an alarming rate, but subsequently began having a detrimental effect on indigenous species, native to the area. It is now estimated that the Burmese python population of South Florida is well in excess of 100,000, and climbing.

When we refuse to deal with sin in a way prescribed by God in His word, we are asking for trouble. We hold on to our “pet sins” until they are out of control, and too big for us to handle on our own. If we don’t deal with our sin appropriately, God assures us that…

He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

If we try to cover our sin, it will grow into a stronghold with the potential to destroy our walk with God, our relationships with others, and our testimony in the world. However, when we approach God in humility and repentance, our fellowship with Him is restored. As He promises in 1 John 1…

 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So what are those things you think you are hiding from an all-seeing God?

Don’t fool yourself… that “pet” you are hiding will turn into a monster with the potential to consume everything that is important to you.

Just confess it to Him. Repent and turn it over to Him. Let Him lead you to a place of forgiveness and peace in His presence.

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

Finding Your Song

This is a wonderful sentiment by the late Maya Angelou…

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”

imageOne has but to walk outdoors on a sunny day and listen to the sound of a chorus of birds to understand this thought. Even in the captivity of a small cage, a bird still has the ability to find its song. A friend once told me about taking a walk one day, and feeling the Spirit of God encouraging him to sing… to lift up a new song to Him as he strolled in God’s cathedral, the Great Outdoors. As he walked and began to sing, he noticed something interesting began to happen. He noticed the sound of creation getting louder and louder. As he found his song, creation itself joined in the chorus, and the birds in the numerous trees about him began to lift up their voices as well. After a time, he said he stopped singing, and something uncanny happened…

Many of the birds stopped singing as well, and the sound of creation slowly died away.

In Luke 19, we find this story…

Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: 

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

We are all given a song. For some, that song is sung in the midst of gratitude and thanksgiving; a song of grateful worship to God for His goodness and favor.

But for others, that song may be sung from a place of hardship and pain.

How do you sing for joy when you are watching a loved one slowly slip away because of Alzheimer’s Disease or ALS?

How do you sing with gladness when the diagnosis is cancer?

How do you worship when you are a parent standing over the grave of a child gone too early?

We sing, not because we have the answer, but because we have a song. We worship, not because we are good, but because He is Holy. We seek out His presence, not as an escape from the world we are in, but as a place of safety and refuge for our souls while we are on the journey through this life.

 An interesting thing about dementia patients is, even as they are losing their ability to remember friends and family members — as well as their ability to even talk — many still have the ability to recognize songs and sing or hum a tune.

There is something about the language of music that speaks to all of us on a spiritual level. We are all made for worship. God has put His song into our DNA, and pursuing an intimate relationship with Him in worship is the first step to finding your song. The Psalmist wrote…

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. ~ Psalm 104:33

He was determined to worship as long as he had breath in his lungs; no qualifier, no expectation.

Maybe when we get to the point of unconditional worship — when we are singing our song, not because we have an answer, but because we have a God-given song — we’ll find that, in that obedience, we will find the answers we are looking for in His presence.

It could also be that, by spending time in His presence, we’ll discover that knowing the answers will become less important than knowing Him.

Categories
Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 The Big Event The Secret Place Through The Looking Glass

The Value of Stillness

Through The Looking Glass2

With the success of his new movie, American Sniper, I thought I would share a little thought from director Clint Eastwood. He once conveyed this little anecdote…

“My old drama coach used to say, ‘Don’t just do something… stand there.’”

In our society today, we are addicted to noise. Everywhere we go, our auditory senses are being constantly assaulted to the point that, for most of us, silence makes us uncomfortable.

What is it about being still that bothers us so much?

What is it about silence that scares us to death?

In Psalms, God gives us a command…

“Be STILL… and know that I am God”. ~Psalm 46:10

Could it be that, in the silence of stillness, we face God on His terms? Is it that, without distractions, all of our mental “hiding places” are stripped away, and we have to be honest about our need for Him?

Are you looking for a fresh revelation of God in your life?

Don’t just do something….

Stand there.

Stand still.

And listen for His voice.

 

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

Hope for a “Lost” Generation

MLK Lives QuoteOne has only to watch the news for a few minutes to realize we, as a “civilized people”, are in great peril. As the world focuses on the threats facing our world on a broad scale (terrorism, radical Islam, North Korea, Russia, etc.), the unravelling of the fabric of our society on a local level flies “under the radar.” The seeming collusion of a left-wing media and liberal Hollywood have created the “talking points” of what is acceptable and politically correct, and what will not be tolerated.

While cities like Detroit, St. Louis, and Memphis are besieged by violence, we are told that the greatest threat facing us is “climate change”.

While escalating terror attacks against our allies across the globe are marginalized by our leaders, accusations of racism and anti-police rhetoric are carelessly bandied about by those in authority – with deadly consequences.

While more and more over-reaching regulations are proposed in the name of “public safety,” common sense and “unpopular” laws have become the casualties of those who would try to fundamentally change the core Judeo-Christian values of our nation.

LL ArmThese actions do not take place without consequences — intentional or not. The underlying message being sent is that lives (black, white, or otherwise) don’t matter, that morality is subjective, and that, if one disagrees with certain laws, it is acceptable to ignore and/or violate those laws as long as “diversity” is the goal.

I – for one – have not given up on America. However, in order for us to see a brighter future, we must return to the faith of our past. The Church must draw a “line in the sand” and take a stand for truth and righteousness. It is time that we stop living cowed in the corner of society, and honestly, passionately, and intelligently speak life into this culture of decay and death. Here are a few common-sense ways we can start that conversation…

Stop mis-labeling the problem.

If a person goes into the hospital with all of the symptoms of appendicitis, referring to that person’s condition as an ear infection will do little to treat the problem, and could possibly cost them their life. When we fail to properly label what is wrong with society, we do nothing to cure its ills, and run the risk of doing irreparable damage to the conscience of our Nation. As believers, we stand on the unchangeable, living Word of God. In 1 Peter 3:14-16, the apostle Peter admonishes us…

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

Calling “sin” by its proper name is not politically correct in our society, but is necessary in diagnosing what is ailing us.

Abortion is not a “woman’s choice”… it’s sin.
Homosexuality is not an “alternate lifestyle”… it’s sin.
Adultery is not an “open lifestyle”… it’s sin.
Pornography is not “adult entertainment”… it’s sin.
Political corruption is not “the price of doing business”… it’s sin.

It’s not my label, or your label… it’s God’s definition. He made the rules, and He set the standards. As believers in Christ, we must be honest and faithful to His Word. However, we must also be sure to go beyond just pointing out the problems; we must share the reason for our hope, and offer a solution… the love of Jesus that has the power to change hearts, heal minds, and save souls.

Parents: Anyone can be your child’s friend; only YOU can be your child’s parent.

We have a generation rising that has the potential for either great good or great harm. While I do see good and decent young people being raised up, I also see a lot who are reckless, thoughtless, and out-of-control. There was recently a case in Texas of a 16-year old young man who got drunk, got behind the wheel of a pickup truck, and killed four people (also injuring two others). During his trial, a witness was put on the stand who testified that the boy was the victim of affluenza — which could be defined as “being the product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits or boundaries.” This tragic story can be repeated over and over again… parents who set no boundaries for children who grow into young people with no concern for right and wrong, and no regard for the consequences of their thoughtless and careless acts.

Family mealIn Proverbs 22:6, we read…

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

That’s pretty good advice from the person considered to be the wisest man who ever lived. Parents need to stop delegating God-given responsibility of raising their children to schools, recreation centers, and churches, and start being the voices of wisdom, protection, instruction, and discipline that God intended them to be.

Church: Start being salt and light again.

Over these past many decades, the Church has become known more for what we are against than what we are for. In the ’50’s and ’60’s, we took stands against things like technology, only to later discover it was neither good nor evil, but actually had great value in the spreading of the Gospel. While the Cold War raged in the ’70’s, and we seemed on the brink of nuclear catastrophe, the Church was more concerned about the length of men’s hair, the length of women’s skirts, the “Ju-ju beat” in contemporary Christian music, and a plethora of other things that did little to bring souls into the Kingdom, and even less to open up a dialogue with a world on the fast-track to Hell. One thing (of many) I respect about Rev. Billy Graham, and now his son Franklin, is that, when confronted with a question about a social issue, political controversy, or cultural hot-topic, he always steers the conversation back to the Cross of Christ, and mankind’s need for a Savior.

Jesus called us to be salt and light in Matthew 5:13-16…

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Do I think we should be like the world, and participate in sin for the sake of getting along and finding common ground? By no means. But we must be very careful in rightly-dividing the Word of God so as not to turn our personal preferences into God’s providence. We must let the world see the love of Christ in us, and be known for the God we love, Who changes lives, and not just be known for the petty and insignificant things we are against. Being a Christian will always put us at odds with a world that hates Him. However, the love of Christ in us — shown in practical ways — is what will silence the critics, bring healing and love to those who have lost all hope, and open the ears and hearts of the hungry, hurting, and desperate.

Remember that All Lives Matter.

All Lives MatterIn the wake of the tragic stories of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, the mantra “Black Lives Matter” spread like wildfire. The fact is that ALL lives matter. But how can we say with any conviction that any lives matter when we have allowed the wholesale slaughter of the innocent in our nation? How can we be so hypocritical as to bemoan the tragic deaths of a handful of individuals when, from 1973 to January of 2014, estimates of the number of aborted children have topped 50 million? To put it into perspective, this would be the equivalent of wiping out the populations of the following states combined: Kentucky, Oregon, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Iowa, Mississippi, Arkansas, Utah, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Nebraska, West Virginia, Idaho, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming.

We must stop sending these mixed messages. If all lives matter, then we must put an end to this hypocrisy by putting an end to the holocaust of abortion in our nation. Then, and only then, can we put a serious emphasis on the value of ALL lives, and begin to heal the racial and gender rifts that are tearing our nation apart.

 There was a popular show on television called “Lost“, in which the characters were survivors of a plane crash on a remote island. As the series progressed, however, the level of danger and peril grew, and the island was more than it appeared to be on the surface. As I look into our society, I see a generation that is lost in the deception of self-interest, unaware of an enemy that is operating below the surface, feeding the fires of an ideology and mindset that are putting us as a nation more and more at odds with a Holy God. It’s time for the Church to step up and be the voice of truth, compassion, and hope that our world is crying out for.Blessed

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

The Enemy at the Gate

Landscape#1Some years ago on a large Kansas farm, a parent left a gate open while in a hurry to do a chore. The child that was playing in the fenced yard wandered off and was lost in the great wheat field. They searched for days and finally found the child dead from exposure. The parent cried out, “I left the gate open, I left the gate open.”

So, dads and moms, are you leaving the gates open for your children? In an attempt to be the “cool parent”, are you putting your kids in harm’s way in a culture that is decidedly not “kid friendly”? Has your desire to be your child’s “buddy” left them without a parent?

In a society where anything (and everything) goes, parents have to be more diligent than ever with regard to the safety and well-being of their children. There is an enemy waiting for the gate of love and protection to be left unattended. At every turn, whether on the street, in the classroom, or on the Internet, 21st century children are faced with peril and temptation. One has just to watch the news for a few minutes to hear stories about children being abused, neglected, abducted, or killed. With online porn, online predators, and sex trafficking being just a few of the dangers out there, it is enough to make you want to build a wall around your home, station armed-guards on the perimeter, and not let them leave until they are safely into their 30’s.

However, that’s not the way life works.
It’s also not the way God intended for the family to function.

God makes it clear in His word that He has better plans for us than that. In 1 Timothy 1:7, Paul writes…

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Living in fear and anxiety is living life in the absence of faith. We have been given a Spirit of “power, of love, and of a sound mind”… it is already at our disposal if we are children of the Most High. Operating as a Spirit-controlled family is how God wants you to live.

Do you want to know how to have a Spirit-controlled home? Do you want to know what steps you can take to put the enemy to flight in the life of your family? Do you want your home to be a habitation of the Holy Spirit… a habitation of peace, safety, and tranquility?

Last night, I shared my thoughts about how you and your family can function as a Spirit-controlled family. Click this link and join me now in the worship center of Abba’s House for this crucial word.

 

 

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

3 Steps to Un-breaking Your New Year’s Resolutions

Ok… we’re now 8 days into the New Year. For most of us, the decorations of the season are packed up for another year, our regular work and school schedules have resumed, and life has returned to some semblance of “normal.”

So how are those New Year’s resolutions working out for you?

Sunlight thru trees-editedSome studies show that almost 90% of people that make resolutions fail to keep them, with over 20% of resolutions being broken within the first week. So what do you do when you made a resolution in the spirit of the season, and now it seems impossible to keep? How do you deal with the broken promises of a year so new that you are still having to white-out all of the times you habitually write “2014” on correspondence and checks?

Here are three simple things to remember when it comes to dealing with those well-intended — yet possibly already-broken — resolutions…

Realize what is at stake.

While some resolutions are made for our personal betterment (lose weight, stop smoking, etc.), and some resolutions affect those around us and our relationships (spend more time with your kids, be a better friend), still others have an impact on our relationship with our Heavenly Father (read the Bible more, spend more time in prayer, give up “hidden sins”). Regardless of where your resolutions fall, it is important to realize what the consequences are of not keeping them. I say this not as a way of encouraging you to beat yourself up for broken promises, but simply to get honest about your own situation.

A friend of mine had a heart-attack a couple of years ago. He has spent the last couple of years working out regularly and getting healthy. He says, “People think I love working out. I hate it! However, I hate being dead more.” The decision to live healthier (lose weight, stop smoking, exercise more) will only contribute to your well-being in a positive way. Giving up unhealthy habits can help you live longer, and operate in a better frame of mind. Decisions such as better money or time management can go a long way to giving you more peace of mind…

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Spending more time with family and friends, being a better co-worker, helping others more, or volunteering more of our time to charitable endeavors can strengthen those relationships, as well as personally give us more of a positive outlook on life, and contribute to our own well-being…

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

NO time spent drawing closer to the Father is wasted time. Spending time in His Word, in prayer and meditation, and in worship only serve to create a lifestyle of abiding in His presence. Giving up secret sins such as lust, greed, and dishonesty, etc. should not be just “insignificant resolutions” — they are imperative for living the Spirit-filled life. Remember, the concept of sowing and reaping has both positive and negative connotations…

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. ~ Galatians 6:7-8

Stop making excuses.

Anything worth doing requires some degree of sacrifice. Stop looking for a way to avoid the unpleasantness of the process, suck it up, and get about the business of walking the narrow path that is going to move you forward as a person to a better place. The path of least-resistance is probably the path that got you where you are now — looking for (and needing) change.

Maybe you made your resolution in the midst of the euphoria of New Years?

So what???

If it is a resolution worth keeping, it doesn’t really matter why you made it. YOU DID! Now it’s time to show what you’re made of, Who you trust, and stick to it.

Remember: Failure isn’t final.

Most resolutions — like life itself — are a process. If you made a resolution to lose weight, gaining a pound or two on the Fourth of July weekend is not the end of the world. The year isn’t over, and you still have 5 months to lose what you gained and more. If you were going to spend more time with your family, but work is already demanding more of your time than you anticipated, start now managing your time and resources to stop the cycle, and keep your promise. Too many people stumble in their goal for the perfect “resolution record”, and throw up their hands in defeat the first time they trip along the way. Stop looking at the stumbling blocks, and start looking at the finish line. Set a goal, and keep your eyes on it, not the moments of weakness along the journey.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Trust in your Heavenly Father, and start NOW in making this year’s resolutions a success. Have faith in the One who “began the good work in you.”

Pastor Ron

Categories
America Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 The Big Event The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

How To Make the Best of a New Year

“It was the best of times… it was the worst of times”.

With these words, Charles Dickens begins his timeless classic, A Tale of Two Cities. Although it was written in 1859, this opening sentence sounds a lot like our world today.

We see turmoil in other countries…

We see political and social unrest right here at home…

We see an economy filled with uncertainty…

NE ChurchBut through it all, we have hope. Hope – not in an ideology, politicians, or financial markets. We have hope in a God who is bigger than any challenges we face, and mightier than the forces of darkness that are trying to tear this world apart.

Because of that, we can find joy in the future, and anticipation for a wonderful New Year.

Categories
Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 The Big Event The Life of Faith

Wow! What a Year!

Nica2As 2014 comes to a close, I look back over another year of ministry with a profound sense of gratitude and humility. This past year has brought challenges and trials, but it has also brought wonderful opportunities and blessings. I am thankful for the people I get to work along side of in ministry on a day-to-day basis. I am thankful for the people I meet, and stories I hear of lives changed when I speak in various locations and meetings. I see the hand of God moving among His people, and I am encouraged by the voices He is raising up to reach the next generation.

Nica1Although my international travel was limited this year, Ron Phillips Ministries and Abba’s House were able to send teams to minister through medical missions, evangelism, ministry support, and humanitarian causes in places like Guatemala, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Europe. Our medical team in Guatemala faced major obstacles from the start of their trip, but the hand of God was there, “all things worked together for good”, and hundreds of people were ministered to for physical healing and spiritual nourishment. Our Nicaragua team spent days in street ministry and crusades, seeing hundreds of people make professions of faith in Christ. One of our RPM staff members had the opportunity to minister alongside some other ministries in Europe for a time of spiritual renewal for some very deserving people.

Guat1Along with our boots-on-the-ground ministry teams, Ron Phillips from Abba’s House continues to minister the love of Jesus across the airwaves and around the world, with our call center ministering one-on-one with people on a daily basis. Through our program’s wide distribution through media outlets such as the Daystar Television Network, The Church Channel, The Word Network, Immanuel Broadcasting, and many more, we are seen and heard all over the world, on nearly every continent. When viewers call in with needs, the volunteers in our call center spend hundreds of man-hours yearly — taking orders, answering questions, praying with callers, and ministering Jesus’ love.

So why am I saying all of this?

DR1Ron Phillips Ministries is operated on faith. It is funded by the generosity of people who desire to see lives changed. Whether monthly partnerships, one-time gifts, or book and electronic media sales (CD/DVD), the proceeds go to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ through broadcasts, mission projects, printed material, etc.

Our goal is the Great Commission.

Our passion is souls won for Jesus.

Our desire is proclaiming HIS GREAT NAME to the ends of the Earth.

GUat2Traditionally, at the end of the year, many people try to get “caught up” on their charitable giving. Whether as an act of generosity during the “season of Good Will“, as an act of worship, to meet a personal giving goal, or simply for tax reasons, many people take a hard look at charitable giving opportunities this last week of the year. There are many wonderful and worthy ministries and charities out there, and the decision of which ones to support can be a daunting one. If you are looking for a ministry of integrity and purpose, a ministry that takes the words of Jesus seriously and puts feet to faith, then I invite you to consider Ron Phillips Ministries in your end-of-the-year giving. When you give to RPM, you can rest assured that your gift goes to ministry, and that it will be treated with the accountability and respect that honors our Lord.

Won’t you be a part? Won’t you help us spread His love to more places than ever before?

If you would like to give a one time gift, you can give securely online at this link.

If you would like more information on how to give monthly as an RPM Partner, contact us here.

If you would like to purchase product, or have a question about who we are or what we do, I invite you to call us at 1-800-877-6493 and speak to one of our operators (call center is closed for the holidays, but will re-open January 4, 2015).

From all of us at Ron Phillips Ministries, may you and yours have a happy, safe, and blessed New Year!

Pastor Ron

Categories
Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 The Bible The Big Event The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

A Story for Christmas

I thought for this Christmas Day blog that I would simply share a story…

THE story.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

  “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.     ~ from Luke 2 (NIV)

Nativity

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Ron

Categories
America Fresh Oil New Wine 2014 The Big Event The Mysteries of God Through The Looking Glass

The Missing Christmas Gift

Christmas PresentHere is some interesting Christmas trivia…

In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, if you added up all of the presents given, you would find that the total number of presents is 364.

Not including Christmas, that would be the equivalent of one present for every remaining day of the year.

Could this be coincidence???

Possibly. But why 364? What is the missing Christmas gift?

Because maybe… just maybe… the writer of the song knew that the greatest gift that was reserved for this Holy Day was the Child, wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger… the gift of Salvation to all men from the God of the universe.

Make it a point during this Christmas Season, no matter how busy we may get filling our shopping carts with gifts, to not forget the Greatest Gift…. Jesus.

And from our family at Abba’s House to yours… Merry Christmas!!!

P.S. If you happen to be in Chattanooga on Christmas Eve, I would like to personally invite you to join us at Abba’s House for our Christmas Eve Traditions service. It begins at 5p.m., lasts an hour, and includes carol singing, a brief message, and communion. I hope you will join us.

Traditions