Tag: Ron Phillips

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

Finding Your Place In The World

Through The Looking Glass2Here is an interesting quote I recently heard…

For me, in personal living… in fulfilling our place in the world… in faithful use of our talents… each of these is a spoke in the circle of successful living. Prayer is the hub that holds the wheel together. Without our contact with God, we are nothing… With it, we are ‘a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor’.

These words were not uttered by a famous preacher or evangelist. They were spoken by Conrad Hilton, the man who founded the Hilton chain of hotels… a successful businessman who understood the power of prayer, and that a relationship with God is CENTRAL to any lasting success we can have in this world.

In God’s economy, being a success isn’t about money or fame… it’s about a right relationship with Him. It’s about seeking Him in every decision, and trusting Him to guide your every step.

Do you want to be a success on God’s terms?

Understand the power of prayer in your life, and you’ll discover a supply of peace, contentment, and hope that never ends.

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Fresh Oil New Wine 2013 Friendship Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God Through The Looking Glass

Recognizing Greatness

Through the Looking GlassI have often said that I pity anyone who isn’t from East Tennessee in the fall. With the changing of the colors, and the cool, crispness in the air, it truly is a beautiful place to be.

However, the coolness in the air prompts my mind to wander back a few years, to a time when my team and I were on our way back from the Gambia in Western Africa. We had just finished a week of ministry, it was early January, and we had a short stay in Barcelona, Spain on our trip home. Barcelona just after Christmas is a beautiful place… much of the seasonal decor is still up, and that, combined with the hustle and bustle of after Christmas shoppers and the beautiful architecture of this centuries-old Spanish city made our short stay most enjoyable.

Antonio Gaudi was a famed architect, responsible for some of the most celebrated architecture in Barcelona. When Gaudi died, half of the city of Barcelona mourned his death.

This made the circumstances surrounding his death even more tragic.

You see, three days before, Gaudi was hit by a tram. As he lay injured in the streets of Barcelona, no one would come to his aid. Cab drivers looked at his ragged attire and passed him by, afraid he wouldn’t be able to pay the fare. This renowned architectural genius died in a pauper’s hospital from those very injuries.

We pass people by for many reasons…

… the way they look;

… the way they act;

… they don’t look or talk like us;

… they see the world a little differently from the way we do;

… or, we’re simply just too busy to take the time.

However, Jesus said in Matthew 25:40…

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

In this parable, He is making it very clear that the manner in which we treat others (yes, our enemies too) is the way we treat Him. Our attitude toward Him is reflected in the way we treat those around us. The fact is that, when we pass people by, we are passing by greatness. Just like the passersby in Barcelona failed to recognize the great artist that lay wounded before them, we are passing up the opportunity to reach out to the very people Jesus died to save… people made in the image of God Almighty, who have great worth and potential in the eyes of Christ.

So… the next time you are about to pass someone by, look again. What you see in their face may be the very face of Jesus.

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Living It Out In Real Time The Bible The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

Strange Fire or Fresh Fire

On Wednesday night at Abba’s House, I was asked to address the recent controversy surrounding statements made by John MacArthur, Pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA. On the proverbial eve of releasing his new book, Strange Fire, Pastor MacArthur hosted a conference at his church by the same name. The Strange Fire Conference was October 16-18, 2013 and was dedicated to attacking Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians.

Before I continue, I would like to state unequivocally that I have a great deal of respect for what Pastor MacArthur has accomplished. He serves in a thriving congregation that has done much for the Kingdom of God. Many lost have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ under his leadership and ministry. There is a lot he is doing that I believe is – as Philippians 4 says – “true, noble, right, and pure”.

With that being said, I believe that his stance on the Gifts of the Spirit, support of cessationism, and his related and unrelenting attacks upon his brothers and sisters who believe and walk in the fullness of the Spirit are – quite simply – wrong.

With real threats like militant Islam, creeping socialism, moral breakdown, government meltdown, crime and violence, it would seem that there are other targets of greater importance in the battle against the enemy of our souls than those who reside within the walls of the church. Yet, in his new book Strange Fire, MacArthur “opens fire” on fellow Christians. The famed pastor and teacher, who (it appears) has become the resident theologian for Southern Baptists and many evangelists, is continuing his attack on Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians with the publication of his book, as well as last week’s conference.

As the modern arbiter of cessationism, MacArthur is of the belief that the miraculous gifts ceased with the death of the last apostle or at the closing of the Biblical canon (around 100A.D.).

The problem is that this approach has no Biblical support and very little historical validation. His views are simply a regurgitation of the late B. B. Warfield’s views. The teachings of Warfield were a reaction to the events surrounding “Azusa Street” and the mighty Pentecostal awakening in the early 20th century!

I have absolutely no doubt that there are extremists, heretics, and hypocrites among us in every belief circle and corner of Christendom. However, Pentecostal Christianity is the fastest growing part of God’s Kingdom worldwide. It is obvious from what I read, have heard reported by witnesses, and have observed with my own eyes that miracles, signs, wonders, and gifts have not ceased. I have personally witnessed miraculous events, not just within the walls of Abba’s House, but in other churches throughout America, and foreign countries as well.

Cessationism (birthed by Calvinism) is killing both the spirit and the mission heart of Evangelicals. I wish this blog gave me adequate space for a full answer, but it does not. However, in my Essential Guide series of books on the Holy Spirit, I deal Biblically, historically, clearly, and spiritually with all of MacArthur’s attacks.

Volume 4 of the series, An Essential Guide to Spiritual Gifts, answers the cessationist argument in Chapter 3 called, The Availability of Spiritual Gifts Today.

For those of you reading this blog, I will make all 4 Essential Guides available for a gift of $25.00–postage paid (this is a discount of nearly 50% from our regular price… discounted price good through Nov. 2). This includes:

  1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
  2. Speaking in Tongues
  3. The Gift of Healing
  4. Spiritual Gifts

Simply call our order line at 1-800-877-6493 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. Ask for the Fresh Fire blog offer. If the operators are busy, please leave a message, and someone will get right back to you. You can also order online by clicking here.

You can also download these at Kindle, as well as Barnes and Noble.

Remember Luke 3:16, “…He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire…”

There’s nothing strange about that!

Ron Phillips

PrayerP.S. As I shared from my heart during the service, this picture was snapped by one of my staff members. Our Wednesday night crowd was taking a moment to pray for our brother, Pastor MacArthur. I believe it is time for the body of Christ to heed the words that Paul wrote to the Ephesians and “Make EVERY effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

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The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

The Power of Touch

Through The Looking Glass2Some time back, a group from my church went to Guatemala on a mission trip. On their last night there, one of the members of the group ran into another mission team, and overheard one of their members addressing his group. Speaking of the people they were there to minister to, this person said…

“Are any of you going to touch them? The Bible said Jesus spoke the word and they were healed… I’m not touching them.”

It’s sad to see Jesus misrepresented and misinterpreted in that way. The Bible puts great emphasis on human touch. If you don’t think touch is important…

Ask the blind man that Jesus touched and he received his sight.

Ask the person who is comforted by a gentle hand of a friend on their shoulder.

Ask the woman who was healed, simply because she touched the hem of Jesus’ robe.

Touching the heart often begins with a smile, a handshake, or a hug. The Bible encourages human touch for anointing and healing.

So… How are you touching the world around you?

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America Living It Out In Real Time The Bible The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

The Survival of Israel

RP & PauletteHere are a few notable quotes:

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
~ King David

“No man should escape our universities without knowing how little he knows.”
~ J. Robert Oppenheimer

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
~ Albert Einstein

“I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.”
~ Groucho Marx

“Too many young musicians today want to win polls before they learn their instruments.”
~ Benny Goodman

“One cannot and must not try to erase the past merely because it does not fit the present.”
~ Golda Meir

Mt. ScopusWhile a seemingly unrelated group of quotes, the one thing that they have in common is that all came from the mind, experience, wit, and wisdom of Jews. Each person quoted is Jewish. In fact, when listing the accomplishments of notable Jews throughout history, the list would include multiple Nobel, Pulitzer, Oscar, Tony, Grammy, and {insert name of award here} Award recipients. There is no denying the contribution the Jewish people and culture have made to our world. And why not? There is no other national group that has endured the mistreatment, disdain, and abuse that the Jews (and nation of Israel) has. No other nation has ever been carried away captive, yet returned to their homeland. No other nation was considered dead, and yet rose again.

Dachau 2I have stood on the Temple Mount, walked along the streets of Jerusalem, and broken bread along the Sea of Galilee. I have stood at the gas chambers and ovens at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. I have seen both the rich history and horrific tragedies endured by the Jewish people. Having seen the evidence on both sides, one may ask the question…

“What is so special about Israel and the Jews?“

Dachau 1Well, my friend, The answer is both simple and mysterious. The short answer comes from the promise that God made to Abram (later Abraham), the father of the Jewish people:

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.  ~ Genesis 12:1-3

Garden of GethsemaneWhile we tend to focus on verse 3, we often forget the promise made in verse 2… the promise that has the potential to affect the rest of the world… “thou shalt be a blessing.” Not only does God promise to bless the people (nation) that blesses Israel, but He states that Israel “shall be a blessing”. There is no denying the truth of that verse. Look at the rich history of contributions made by Jews in every area of society. Albert Einstein, Selman Waksman, Louis B. Mayer, George Gershwin, Jonas Salk, Niels Bohr, and the list goes on and on.

But I digress…

Wailing WallThe fact is that Israel is God’s timepiece. Whether you are talking about end-time prophecy, or the movement of hundreds of thousands of troops in and out of the Middle East, Israel is the focal point. Israel is the apple of God’s eye, and when you hear people preaching “replacement theology”, blaming, or speaking out against Israel, you should run (not walk) the other direction. If “the power of life and death are in the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21), and God “will curse him that curseth thee” — well… you do the math.

This Sunday on Ron Phillips from Abba’s House, I will be talking about Israel’s Survival. I invite you to watch on one of the many fine stations and networks listed here.

If it is not available where you live, you can also watch directly from our website. It will be available on-demand after 8:00a.m. on Sunday, October 20. Just click here.

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America The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

Winning The War

Through The Looking Glass2

Wallace Sword

General Douglas MacArthur was raised in a military family. His father, Arthur MacArthur, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Battle of Chattanooga during the Civil War. General MacArthur once said this about warfare…

It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.

Chinese general, strategist, and philosopher Sun Tzu put it another way…

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.

How true is that of the Christian life. We as Christians are in a war… a war for the souls of men and women all over the world. But our battle is not against flesh and blood. The Bible says it is against “principalities, powers, and spiritual forces of wickedness in high places”. When we abdicate our responsibility to share the love of Jesus, souls are lost.
It’s time for the church to remember the battle cry of the old song…

Onward Christian soldiers
Marching as to war
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before

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Living It Out In Real Time The Bible The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

An Upsized Love

On Sunday mornings at Abba’s House, I just began a new series called Up-size to God-Sized. As children of the Most High God, we have the resources and riches of Heaven at our disposal, yet we leave so much “on the table” — resources untapped and unused because of our own failure to step into our inheritance. When you go through a drive-thru at a restaurant, one of the things the clerks are conditioned to ask is, “Would you like to up-size your order?”

A similar offer is available in the life of the Spirit… Do you want to Up-size to God-Sized?

Ok… let me put it another way:

Why would you not?

If you can upsize to God-sized love, God-sized grace, God-sized faith, a God-sized future, a God-sized mission, a God-sized heart, a God-sized offering, and a God-sized God, why would you pass on so free a gift?

Well, you don’t have to miss out any more. It’s time to move to God-sized in your life. Watch this short clip from last Sunday morning, and learn about a God-Sized Love…

Want to learn more about Up-sizing to God-Sized? Join us at Abba’s House on Sunday mornings at 10:30a.m. (EST), or join us online by clicking here.

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America Fresh Oil New Wine 2013 Living It Out In Real Time The Bible The Life of Faith The Secret Place Through The Looking Glass

What It Was Was Football Life

Through the Looking Glass“It’s football time in Tennessee!!!”

Ok… it’s a little late, and I’m actually an Alabama Crimson Tide fan (Roll Tide!), but if you live in Tennessee like I do, you are used to hearing those words in the fall of every year. Not just a declaration – it is a warcry. It is a call to Saturday football, friends gathered around television screens, popcorn and potato chips flying everywhere when your team scores, an occasional pilgrimage (for some) to Neyland Stadium, and lots and LOTS of orange.

Regardless of your persuasion of team choice (or what color you think you look good in), there is nothing quite like a good football game. When it is neck-and-neck, back and forth battling on the gridiron, the energy is contagious – the excitement nearly impossible to contain!

It reminds me of some quotes by icons of the game:

Football is like life – it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority. ~ Vince Lombardi

I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on a field and be prepared to play a good game. ~ Tom Landry

Never be too proud to get down on your knees and pray. ~ Paul “Bear” Bryant

Three different coaches. Three different quotes. One important message, not just for football, but for life…

Be prepared.

Just like a football team has to practice, condition, and prepare in order to have any chance of winning once it walks out onto the field, we have to prepare for the challenges and trials of life through education, dedication, hard work, and…

Prayer.

In the Bible, Paul stresses, over and over again the value of preparation…

“Run with perseverance”… “Endure hardship”… Hebrews 12

“Everyone who competes goes into strict training”… I Corinthians 9

“Put on the full armor of God”… Ephesians 6

In order for us to win in the “game of life”, we must prepare. As Christians, we do that through worship, prayer, studying the Word of God, and fellowship with other believers (just to name a few).

Years ago, the late Andy Griffith had a comedy routine called What It Was Was Football, in which he described the game of football from the vantage point of a “good ole country boy” who had never seen the game before, and didn’t understand the rules.

As we go through life, are our lives shining and crystal-clear examples of the love of Jesus, or something that is foreign to those that are observing our lives at arms-length? Do we point people to the love of Christ, or confuse them with an unconvincing and unattractive “performance” devoid of passion, love, or commitment?

Take the time today to assess your “game plan”. If you see that it needs work, a good place to begin is on your knees.

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America The Bible The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

Getting Back to The Cross

My friend Rod Parsley recently completed a book entitled The Cross, which has just been released. Here is a short video in which I talk about this great new book…

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America Healing Miracles Out of Nowhere The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

Along the Trail of Tears

I live and serve at a church (Abba’s House) in the Chattanooga, TN area, which is the eastern head of the infamous Trail of Tears… the path that members of the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Indian nations were forced to travel during their forced relocation to the reservation in Oklahoma, beginning in 1831. The journey was horrific, with over 60,000 Indians dying from starvation, disease, and exposure. My good friend, Rabbi Curt Landry, is the pastor of House of David, just outside of Tulsa, OK, at the western end of the Trail.

Recently, I spoke at House of David. Here is a short video in which I tell the story of something that happened while I was there.