Words of Hope
Words of Hope
Here, we want to share some words of hope and encouragement that will be uplifting on your journey with Christ and stir you to walk ever closer in your relationship with Him!
March 2018
Fall on Face (FOF)
In the book of Numbers, chapter 16, we see a series of events taking place in the camp of the Israelites. What reads as a headline of any modern day newspaper: rebellion against authority, murmuring, complaining, accusations, unstability, is actually what Moses and Aaron were facing in that chapter! Their response of falling on face (FOF) before God is not only refreshing, but also reinforces the nost effective way to a resolution. It plainly states, God is MY SOURCE! Let's look a little closer into the three time they FOF!
- When you're attacked, FOF! (verse 4): It's not a position of surrender to the enemy, but of submission to the God who gives REVELATION of the plan of attack! In this case, as in all cases, God's plan is to prove himself. Each man was to fill his censer and let God choose (verse 7). When we walk under God's authority, He shows Himself in mighty ways, For example, earth opened up and swallowed people, fire came down and consumed others; yet, it was God's justice, not ours.
- When you're interceding, FOF! (verse 22): The love of God constrains us to stand in the gap for the lost. Falling on our face before God brings DIRECTIONS on how to present DELIVERANCE. The message stays the same, the delivery may vary and if it is God directed, it will accomplish. With urgency, Moses and the elders, go to the people with a message of repentance and separation (verse 26).
- When you're atoning (forgiving), FOF! (verse 45): Even after God had proven His choice of Moses and Aaron, the people still brought strife and contention. God again appears with judgment and the leaders again FOF in humility. This time they further demonstrate their love with actions. Standing between death and life with atoning forgiveness, Aaron's censer, full of coals with incense smoke rising up, pleads for the people. God stays the plague! The message of the cross and Christ's resurrection is what brings reconciliation and redemption today. God still uses humble messengers to deliver it!
-Pastor Steve Ramey
January 2018
Another year has come and gone! It is a time of reflection and remembering the year gone by, as well as, a looking forward to the coming year. It is important, at this time, to embrace and learn from our experiences of last year in efforts that we may use the past to be beneficial in our future endeavors. It is also a time to look forward to what's next! At times, we experience times of anticipation and apprehension. We experience anticipation towards the wonderful blessings and adventures God has in store for us. We experience apprehension in the uncertainty of experiences that may come, yet unknown or unforseen. Faith, hope, and trust, all find their exsistence in the unseen; not the unknown, but the unseen. For we know in whom we believe, and are persuaded He is able to keep us and make us prosper. Moving forward this year, let us walk by faith, anchor our hope, demonstrate our trust in Christ, through our obedience and attitude. What GREAT things God has in store for us!!
Happy New Year,
Pastor Steve Ramey
October 2017
Knowing God’s Will
I believe, for the most part, Christians have a deep desire to know God’s will. That being said, I also believe it’s God’s desire to reveal His will to us. Notice in Acts 13:36, “For David, after he had served his own generation, by the will of God…” David never went looking for kingship, but he lived in it, after he received it. We know this, God’s will, will prevail.
Terrorists, natural disasters, nuclear threats, economic & political uncertainty, these and many more dangers fill our airwaves & newspapers daily. It’s easy to get caught up in all this, but (Ps 33:18, Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.) God’s eye is focused on us, not the other things. How comforting it is to know such a thing!! It frees us to refocus upon God & His will.
Romans 12:1 – 2 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
These scriptures give us (3) steps to help us recognize God’s desire for us!
1) SURRENDER UNCONDITIONALLY
In every area, sign the bottom of the contract and let God fill in the will for you. The phrase “living sacrifice” means living (a life totally for God) and sacrifice (heartfelt gift). Therefore, we being a gift, presented to God, no longer belongs to the giver (ourselves). The phrase “reasonable service” means literally “logical worship.” So then, we “offer ourselves” “alive totally” then we “logically worship” the One whom we present ourselves to, which is “God’s pleasure,” His will. Just in this one area, we have already tapped into part of God’s will for us. Presenting ourselves, worshipping Him!
2) SEEK GOD TOTALLY
“Be not conformed but be transformed” is a phrase of expression. Conformity is an outward expression with no inward change. It takes on the appearance of change with no genuine, lasting results, just as a chameleon changes color, not its substance. Transformation is an outward change that originates from the inside, as a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. How does this process occur? By the renewing of your mind. How do we renew our minds? By the Word (will) of God. Read what the Word says to us, then learn it, do it, rehearse it, making it a way of life.
3) SEE COMPLETELY GOD’S WILL
Let us remember the ultimate purpose for God’s will to be accomplished in our lives is to give God glory! The phrase “good – acceptable – perfect” (a progressive climb to our ultimate destination). The importance of the entire Word must be stated here, to see the complete picture, all elements of His Word must be included. That’s where God’s perfect will for our lives is revealed. It’s a journey of growth in God, Enjoy It!
August 2017
Pastor Steve Ramey
"He Stirreth Up"
Luke 23:5 ~ "...He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, ..."
The Lord Jesus Christ is an expert in "stirring up." He uses his Word, Spirit, and his people to accomplish this.
Stirring has at least three meanings;
- To be fully awakened - "get out of bed"
- Rekindle, revive - "stoke the coals"
- Mix, blend as soup, cake mix, etc.
Three areas Christ desires to stir us: our spirit, our gift, our minds!
Acts 17:16 ~ Paul at Athens, "... his spirit was stirred within him."
He was fully awakened in the spirit to make a difference. Idol worship & ignorance abounded, but through a stirred spirit, Paul brought truth & life!
2 Timothy 1:6 ~ "stir up the gift of God which is in thee."
Fan the flame (not make a new fire), but fan (rekindle) that which is in you. Use your gift often, to keep it hot. Giftings are from God, therefore they are supernatural (spiritual) given by and with authority. The using of the gift will always bring glory to the Father.
2 Peter 3:1 ~ "stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance"
Pure minds, that part given over to Godly virtues, examined in the full sunlight of His Word. Bringing back (by way of remembrance) those things we know and have heard of Christ.
Philippians 4:8 ~ "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
A spirit stirred is ready to serve, a gift stirred is ready to glorify, a mind stirred is ready to minister!
June 2017
Jason Litton
“A Living Sacrifice”
We’ve all heard stories of Christians who have laid down their lives for the Lord and became Martyrs. The amount of faith that type of sacrifice takes would make them a hero in any Christian’s eyes. With that thought in mind, we have to ask ourselves the question: if we faced a situation to proclaim Jesus Christ and die or deny him and live, what would we choose?
The truth is we are faced with a similar question every day whether we realize it or not. Will we stand strong and proclaim Jesus Christ with our life and die to ourselves or are we going to deny him and live for ourselves? A living sacrifice means we do not live for our desires, our plans, our dreams, or ourselves. All of that is surrendered to Jesus and we live for him. We live out the prayer “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done…” The difficulty is that this is an everyday decision.
“But the problem with living sacrifices is that they keep trying to crawl off the altar”
Even though we have made the decision to follow Christ and worship him, each day we also have to make the decision to live it out. That’s what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote to the believers in Rome telling them to pour out their lives as a living sacrifice, to have a lifestyle of worship. In all that we do and everywhere we go, we are a living sacrifice, we are worshippers of Jesus Christ. It’s not a life that can be separated from our home life, our work life, or our social life. It should become our identity.
Romans 12:1-2
Galations 2:20
Quote by Author Harold Sala
May 2017
Pastor Steve Ramey
Pleasing God ~ Every Christian would probably agree that they desire to be pleasing to God. It's a conscientious attempt to do the right thing and perform in the right way. As a child seeks to please it's parents, we as children of God want to experience His approval.
God in Us: Christ, being the ultimate example, has left for us a pattern, that we may accomplish this desire. John 8:29, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone: for I do ALWAYS those things that please him." In this verse we notice a key to pleasing God, in recognizing God in us. His presence makes it possible.
God in Us, Working in Us: Philippians 2:13, "For it is God which worketh in you BOTH to will and to do of his GOOD PLEASURE." As it is our desire to please Him, He imparts unto us the ability to perform it.
God in Us, Working in Us, Through Faith: The Hebrew writer gives us yet more insight as how to please God. Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him..." Faith then becomes foundational in pleasing God, it takes us much further than human effort could ever go.
God in Us, Working in Us, Through Faith, Bringing Forth Worship: We find great joy in pleasing Him, not just effort, but true worship comes forth. Psalm 69:30-31, "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord, better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs."
God in Us, Working in Us, Through Faith, Bringing Forth Worship, Embracing Our Part:
1 Corinthians 12:18, "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath PLEASED Him." Christ as our example, the Holy Spirit working in us to perform, faith in our hearts, joy from our lips, let us abide in Him.
March 2017
Pastor Steve Ramey
It has been said "Unity plus Diversity equals Harmony." Like a great symphony performed by an equally great orchestra, so is the body of Christ. Each unique member, excelling in their own part, allowing the body to perform at peak efficiency. We are blessed to be a part of such a diverse group with different gifts, talents, and callings. Each being led by Holy Spirit, and instructed by the Word of God. "Fitly joined together" as Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:16, illustrates the impact each member provides for the other members. Everyone combining to become an effective body. This is powerfully demonstrated in this congregation. What a joy to labor together with such passionate, dedicated, and courageous followers of Christ! We desire to be even more connected with our fellow congregations in this local area. This is ultimately Christ's desire; for His ENTIRE body to come together in power & unity! Together effectively proclaiming Jesus to a dying world. He is the Hope of Glory!
Our goal with these few words, is to exhort, edify, and encourage all of us to keep up the good fight of faith. To press on, pray strong, and praise long; For He is worthy, whom has called YOU "for such a time as this!"
