Many Christians hope that when they stand before the judgment seat of God that they will be declared righteous and allowed into His eternal glory. The great thing is that God declares us righteous at the beginning of our journey, not at the end. The moment we commit our lives to Jesus and trust Him to be Lord of our lives, God the Father, “justifies those who faith in Jesus” (Rom 4:26). In 2 Cor 5:21, Paul writes, “God made him who has no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Since we were made righteous in the beginning of our journey, we don’t have to worry whether our behavior has been sufficiently meritorious to win God’s divine approval. It’s not based on what I have done anyway! It’s based upon what He did at the Cross.

Shove Off!

I've heard it said, "You cannot discover new oceans while remaining on the shore." Last Sunday I preached from Mark's Gospel, the fourth chapter where Jesus and the disciples are caught in a storm on the sea of Galilee. I'm sure there are those that were in the boat saying, 'This would have never happened, if we'd of just stayed on shore." While assessing the situation, we must remember that Jesus is the One Who told them to get into the boats in the first place so that they could cross. Some folks are always wishing they could "go back." Go back to the way things were, because there is stability in what is known. However, if these men would have never shoved off from shore, they would have missed the miraculous calming of the wind and waves that Jesus performed. Sure, there is stability on the shore, but it's in the midst of storms where we get to know Jesus more intimately. Have you the faith to move forward? You cannot go with God and stay where you are.

Blessings,
Pastor Ralph

New Scenery Pics

Here are a few pics that my friend John Burnett photographed of our area:

The Making of a Fool

The fool says in his heart, "there is no God" Psalm 14:1.

In the first Chapter of Romans, Paul tells us that God gave over some folks to their passions, sins and lusts. It must be understood, that these people "knew God" (Rom 1:21), but they didn't honor Him, nor acknowledge Him as God.

I believe that is a powerful message for the church today. We don't want to be those that God said honor Him with their lips. We want to be a church/people that honors Him with our whole heart and mind. God gave these people described in Romans 1, over to their sins because they "chose" the passing pleasures of sin over God Himself. They exchanged the truth for a lie he tells us in v25.

We hear a lot of what is being espoused as "gospel" from our pulpits today. We have many who are guilty as those in the letter to the Galatians of adding to the Gospel. They would say, salvation is found in Christ, but you have to carry the right translation, or you must dress a certain way. That is as far out there as the health, wealth, and prosperity gospels that many are preaching today. Be on guard! Anyone who adds man-made rules, or teaches any other gospel than the One, True Gospel is a false teacher!

Blessings!
Pastor Ralph

Learning a new LaNgUaGe

Since moving to the mountains, I have had to learn a new language. I thought that I would share a few of the words with you:

you'ns = Kinda like you all. It really means you ones.
retched - That is the past tense of reach. "Jesus retched down from heaven and got a hold on me."
Baccar - that is tobacco.
cane chew = ie, "Cane chew do it?"
a pire = "Cane chew hang that hammock a pire?" (up higher).
Learn can be used synonymously with teach. "I will learn you a new song."
Wiffer - "If your wife is going to the store, are you gonna go wiffer?"
Tine - "Today we are going to work on tine your shoes." Paula actually said that to a little girl at school, and she had no idea what Paula was talking about. My wife has acclimated so easily.
Rook - Apparently, this is the past tense of rake. "I rook that area already." (Thanks Bobby Osborne)
Anothern - another one
A Right Smart - Apparently this is the same as "quite a bit." (Actual conversation) "How much paint is left in the can?" "A right smart."
Wims - That is the same as Williams
Arry - synonomous with any

I will keep 'em comin'.