Episodes
Thursday Jul 08, 2021
Thursday Jul 08, 2021
Sometimes It's Hard to Be Civil
Thursday Jul 08, 2021
Thursday Jul 08, 2021
Many Christians fall into one of two categories - two different extremes
1> There are some who don’t engage with nonbelievers at all about spiritual matters because they feel afraid, intimidated, or ill-equipped
2> there are others who do engage with nonbelievers, but it can be in a manner that is obnoxious or argumentative; critical and judgmental
The solution or remedy to both of these extremes is found in 1 Peter 3:15
“… but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (ESV)
“Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” (MSG)
Our effectiveness for the Gospel begins with a reverence for Jesus as Lord in our hearts
And we are called to always be ready to give an answer to those who ask us the reason why we have hope
Thursday Jun 10, 2021
Thursday Jun 10, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Sometimes I Am Not Thankful
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
I am bothered by a response that you now hear when you say “thank you” to someone
Instead of “You’re welcome” we now mostly hear “No problem!”
As I checked out with two turkeys yesterday I wanted to scream - “Of course it’s no problem. I am a gentle person, I am not angry, what I have caused you to become involved in is part of your job for which you are paid and is not really that taxing on your abilities….”
But, the real issue is how seldom you even hear people say “thank you”
As I was thinking about this all week - mostly because we were approaching Thanksgiving - God said that this was true even in my relationship with Him
That I am not expressing thanks to Him for who He is and all that He does for me
When I do something for someone I always appreciate it when they thank me for my time, my work, my concern…
It is always nice when you feel “appreciated” for who you are and what you have done
The other day I went a little above and beyond what would normally be expected of a person
And the people involved thanked me for taking the time to be there for them and for caring and sharing
It feels good when I know I’m appreciated — not just for what I do but for who I am
Monday May 17, 2021
The Church as we Know it is Coming to an End
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Around the world the Church, as we know it, is in trouble
Most church leaders are unaware that they are in trouble or have chosen to simply ignore the issues that the Church is facing (see Life-Giving Church, Part Fifteen)
In some places it is seriously dying - growing smaller every year
20% decline a year due to deaths, moves, and people leaving
So to remain steady at the same number of people annually need to grow 20%
In some places there is decreasing ‘life’ and a focus on format and ritual, tradition and religion
2 Timothy 3:5 “… having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
In some places the Church has fallen into heresy - teachings that are not biblical. The church grows but it is sliding away from biblical Christian doctrine and becoming a cult / sect
2 Timothy 3:7 “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”
In some places there are what we call “man-made moves of God” where the churches are growing but it is by programs and hype, charismatic leaders who tickle ears. Then the main charismatic leader dies and the church eventually dies as well.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
In some places the Church is growing quickly and attracting young people but these young people soon recognize that the structures and traditions are, in many ways, hampering and hindering the flow of the Holy Spirit
And so they don’t stay - they look elsewhere or plant a new expression of the Church
My point: To continue to be a life-giving church we need to recognized that we are entering a season of change and we need to respond to the direction and moving of the Spirit
Read more at Ralph Howe Ministries
Monday May 17, 2021
Sometimes the Fire Dies
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
The Scriptures frequently comment on living the Christian faith with passion
It is very clear that as believers we cannot be passive
We must embracethe truth and engagewith the world for that truth
Jude 3b “I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
TPT “(I) felt the need … to challenge you to vigorously defend and contend for the beliefs that we cherish. For God, through the apostles, has once for all entrusted these truths to his holy believers.”
“vigorously defend and contend…”
My personal favourite Scripture regarding living the faith with passion - serving Jesus with my heart and soul
God spoke it to me … planted it deeply in my heart in July of 2007
Romans 12:11 “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord”
Get the whole teaching at Ralph Howe Ministries
Monday May 10, 2021
Sometimes I Feel That I'm Too Old
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
A Christian hero - Dr. J. Vernon McGee - Pastor and Bible teacher - died in 1988 at the age of 84 …still preaching and teaching on a daily basis
When Dr. J. Vernon McGee talked about the Bible, people listened. He was the most beloved Bible teacher of his generation.
In a sit-down conversation after he had preached what would be his last Sunday sermon he did not talk about the past
He did not mention the good old days and all that he had accomplished for the Kingdom - which was seriously substantial
The only subject that interested him was the future
He was fascinated by the technology of audio-tape and broadcasting
He was looking to the future and how to keep his ministry fruitful long after he was gone
He was correct about that
Fifteen years after Dr. McGee’s death (2003), the Wall Street Journal published an article about him
Writer Anne Wilde Matthews reported that McGee’s radio program was broadcast on 800 radio stations in the U.S. And Canada
His teachings were being beamed around the world via satellite and the Internet in more than 100 languages
Thru the Bible, his radio program, had added an additional 300 North American affiliates and dozens of new languages since his death…
A side note: The numbers are even greater today as every year his ministry grows in nations around the world
Dr. McGee’s wholehearted ministry has not stopped even in his death
......Continue reading/listening on the Ralph Howe Ministries Website!
Monday May 10, 2021
Sometimes I Don't Walk By Faith
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
I don’t believe that disciples of Jesus - those of us who follow Jesus today - were ever suppose to end up as couch potatoes
Sitting in one spot can feel so comfortable - physically, emotionally, mentally, and relationally
Just coasting in life and accepting things as they are is simply not the call upon the believers today or any day
The early believers we read about in the New Testament did not just sit and accept what was because it was
They fought against great odds to live by faith and share their dynamic and vibrant faith with others who were not followers of Jesus
They understood that there was this call to live deep … to fulfill their destiny
To engage life
To embrace life
To share life
To truly live life to the fullest
It was something they felt in their heart
They knew they had a destiny to fulfill
It was a ‘matter of the heart’ and they would not settle for normal
That there was more beyond what they were already experiencing
Today, many believers have simply settled into a routine that is comfortable and they no longer feel challenged by their faith in Christ
No longer believe there has to be more to life than what they are experiencing
No longer look for a better way to live - are not pursuing their destiny or pushing their boundaries
They are no longer walking by faith — They have settled into a routine and into life as it is
......Continue reading/listening on the Ralph Howe Ministries Website!
Sunday May 02, 2021