Larger Than Life

God blesses us with different gifts and abilities. Are you a talented athlete? Do you have a hefty bank account? Maybe you’re a gifted speaker. These are all blessings and important to cherish. You can easily become self-sufficient, when instead, it’s important to remember where these blessings came from. Today, Pastor Ron encourages you to look to the Lord always! Even if you were stripped of your physical strength, your wealth, and your speaking ability, you would still have everything you need in God! 

If you have kids, you know how they react when they get hurt. Some run to you with open arms, needing a hug and comforting words. Some get angry and just want to be left alone. As a parent, you want to feel needed and help them through their pain, but they suffer alone. In today’s message, Pastor Ron encourages us to run to our Heavenly Father in our times of need. He is a refuge and a fortress; a strong tower, and an everlasting Father. Why would you ever choose to remain alone in your pain?

We’ve all watched kids try to get a game of hide-and-seek going and the negotiations that take place: “Okay, count to 10, but NO peeking.” “When I find you, you’re it.” “No hiding across the street, because I’m not allowed over there.” Generally, they can make their own rules and then enjoy the game. But occasionally, you’ll get that kid who needs to make his own rules, not listen to others, or negotiate the rules until no one wants to play anymore. Today, Pastor Ron implores you, “Don’t be that kid! 

We’re not all called to lead. In fact, if everyone tried to lead in every area of life, nothing would ever get done. But where you are called to lead, you must lead well, with integrity and purpose. Today, Pastor Ron reminds you that leaders wear many hats. If you’re a leader in your workplace and also a mom, you’re still a leader of your children. If you’re a leader in your community, you’re still a Christian, charged by God to be humble and kind. Don’t neglect one aspect of your life to lead in another.  

We often put God in a box. We try to understand His ways logically when He is anything but logical. The Bible tells us His power, plans, and provision are more than we can hope for or imagine. Isn’t it true that we rarely even know what to ask for or what we desire? We don’t even understand our own hearts, so how can we know the ways of God? In today’s message, Pastor Ron encourages us to remain in awe of God. Even when we think we have the “best laid plans,” He’ll be the One to set our paths. 

We’ve all been deceived at one time or another. Maybe you fell for one of those online scams, where they need your credit card information to fix a bank error. Or maybe someone smooth-talked his way into persuading you to buy that extended warranty you didn’t really want. Well, in today’s message, Pastor Ron reminds you that when the Antichrist comes on the scene, the sly deceiver will gain an unprecedented following. Christians need to be grounded in the Word, recognizing a snake in the grass!

Politicians generally get a bad rap in our society. They’re known for their smooth-talking, squeaky-clean presentation, but have a backstory or hidden agenda counter to what we see on the surface. Well, as we know, “there’s nothing new under the sun.” Choosing leaders based on outward appearance and the façade of genuineness has been our way since the beginning. In today’s message, Pastor Ron reminds us to stand up for what we know is right and choose leaders for their character and heart!

We’ve all been in situations where we’ve been caught up in the heat of the moment, where we can look back and see the error of our ways. Isn’t it interesting that God knows our character enough to include lessons in the Bible that will help us in just about every situation?! Today, Pastor Ron reminds us that 1st Corinthians tells us to choose our friends wisely. We’re already constantly bombarded by the enemy and tempted to sin. So, choose a community that will help keep you from wrongdoing. 

Some stories we read in the Bible teach us lessons about what NOT to do. David’s life, rise to kingship, and family legacy were filled with ups and downs. We know he was a man who loved God, but we also see how some of his decisions were made without first seeking the Lord. In particular, his taking Bathsheba as his wife and his lack of Godly parenting should be warnings to us. Today, Pastor Ron encourages you to turn away from your sinful thoughts and to take control of your life - by seeking God first!

Think of a time when you did something that you regret. For most people, that thing comes to mind immediately. Now, think through the steps it took to actually commit that particular sin. Today, Pastor Ron shows the same thing in King David’s life. Even though David is later described as a “man after God’s own heart,” it’s obvious that he also wrestled with his own flesh and made decisions apart from God’s will. Had he stopped his desires in their tracks, his legacy would have been much different!

We’d all like to think that humans have great and upstanding things in common. We hope that peace, kindness, and patience bring us together and remain at the core of us all. Unfortunately, the Bible tells us that the thing we all share is sin. No one is immune, and this has been true since the beginning of time. But Pastor Ron reminds us today that the answer to this problem is Jesus Christ! He paid the price for everyone’s sin, so that whoever believes in Him is free and unblemished in God’s eyes! 

We’re all familiar with the term “best laid plans.” This phrase refers to planning something far in advance - maybe by researching carefully, weighing the pros and cons, and not making a split-second decision. However, that phrase usually ends like this: “even the best laid plans have gone awry.” So, when we think our plans are foolproof, they can still fail. In today’s message, Pastor Ron reminds us that God’s plans never fail. Turn to Him for “the best laid plans,” rather than your own understanding. 

If a poll were given to people about why they love their spouse, or why they admire a certain celebrity, or what quality they want their children to grow in, many lists would include humility. Being humble is a characteristic God praises highly. In today’s message, Pastor Ron encourages us to be ordinary and to think of ourselves as vessels for Christ. We don’t need to be great or mighty. We need to be clothed in humility and ready to answer God’s calling, so that He can use us; however, and whenever! 

We’ve heard the saying, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” I suppose this is good advice in some situations, but when it comes to God, the exact opposite is true! In today’s message, Pastor Ron reminds us to always wait on the Lord. His timing is rarely at our pace. Our patience wears thin, and we’re tempted to take matters into our own hands. But remember Abraham and Sarah, David and Bathsheba, King Saul, and Moses, as Biblical warnings for us not to rush God. His timing is perfect.

Sometimes we think sin is harmless and just a blip on the radar of life. But as we see today, Pastor Ron reminds us that David’s sin with Bathsheba marred his life and kingship forever. His family was a disaster, filled with hatred and deception, and nothing was quite right after he had Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, killed. Don’t mess around with sin. However small or insignificant it seems at the time, it will grow and fester like an infected wound. Instead, stop sin in its tracks and turn from it!  

Most of us have a friend or two who would go to bat for us! They’ve got our backs in every situation! Well, today Pastor Ron reminds you that God does this for you also! He sees all, knows all, and has a plan for your life. No matter what you come against, He’s in control and can redeem and conquer every situation. Isn’t that an encouragement? He can make things right and lead you on a better path. You have an enemy in Satan, but you also need to remember that ultimately, God wins! 

It’s hard for us to imagine someone who never lies. Even the most upright, honest person on the planet has told a little white lie at some point. But in today’s message, Pastor Ron reminds us that God can’t lie! It’s against His nature. So, when God says He’s adopted you, it’s forever. When you acknowledge you’re a sinner in need of a Savior, you accept Jesus as the One who saves, and you give your life to Him, it’s for eternity. You’re sealed, never to be let go! Wow! What an amazing blessing!

Have you ever tried to stop a bad habit?  Maybe it was to cut sugar from your diet, so you stopped baking at home.  Or maybe you wanted to stop biting your fingernails, so you sat on your hands all day long.  It often takes drastic measures to stop doing something that’s been in your routine for a while.  Pastor Ron reminds you today that this is no different with sin in your life. The Bible tells you to repent, which means to turn 180 degrees away from your sin.  Don’t mess with it!  You can’t sin “just a little.” 

Which voices do you listen to, and how do they influence your life? It could be your parents, your friends, your spouse, or an influencer on social media. What about God? Does God’s voice carry weight in your decisions or your actions? There is a threat that if you listen to the voice of the Lord less, it will become quieter.  In today’s message, Pastor Ron reveals the dangers of not listening to God's voice. Eventually, the Lord will start to grow quieter the more you push Him away.  Just look at the life of Saul. 

When we make negative compromises in our lives, it doesn’t just affect us but also others around us. When you let little things set you off course from following God, they grow into something bigger, leading you to sin against God and others. This can breed distrust among those who depend on you. In today’s message, Pastor Ron shares a warning on how, when you let compromises creep in, it leads you to a course bent on sin. This will affect not just you, but others in your life as well. 

Do you remember back when you were a child, and you “got caught” doing something you shouldn't have been doing? It could have been taking a snack when you weren’t supposed to, or playing games when you should have been in bed. You might have apologized to your parents, but the sorrow you expressed was probably just an empty gesture. In today’s message, Pastor Ron reveals the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. One leads to death, while the other leads to life!  

When was the last time you got angry? Did you handle it well and show great restraint, or did you let it take control of your actions or response? At times, your displeasure may come out toward the wrong person. Sometimes that person is a close friend, your spouse, your kid, or an innocent bystander. When you allow your temper to control you, it can cause you to act out of character. Today, Pastor Ron shares how David reacted with anger that led him to respond out of character toward someone who was undeserving. 

Timing is important. From getting that perfect picture at sunset to planning and pulling off a surprise birthday party. These are fun examples, but more importantly, have you ever questioned God’s timing? When you have prayed for so long and feel like nothing is going to happen, then God answers. Whew, what a relief, but part of you wishes that it had happened sooner. Before He came through, it would be easy to feel disheartened.  Today, Pastor Ron encourages you to trust God’s perfect timing in every moment 

In today’s world, having awareness of your surroundings is important. There is a lot going on, trying to take your focus elsewhere and distance you from the Lord. From the ads on TV to the movies being shown, subtle things are put in your face to distract you from the Lord, and this opens the door to all kinds of deception. In today’s message, Pastor Ron gives you a look into the mind of Saul. He shares how Saul was so focused on himself that he lost his awareness of who was on his side. 

Trusting people is hard to do. Depending on your past, this can be something that you are working hard on, because you’ve been hurt. That is justified, but what if the person you want to trust hasn’t done you harm or done anything to lose your trust? In today’s message, Pastor Ron expands on David’s escape from Saul. He shares how David begins to lie, to save himself, and is put in enemy territory. Because of his distrust of God, David is in a terrible place. Pastor Ron points you back to the truth that God is worthy of trust. 

When things in your life get hard, who do you run to? Do you run to the internet, your best friend, your parents, or your spouse? Who is it that you go to for advice on how to tackle hardships in your life? It’s a good thing to go to someone to gain wisdom in hard situations and not sit in the hard places alone, but the people you turn to matter. Today, Pastor Ron shares the importance of going to God first in hard situations, then turning to trusted, wise people to guide you out of that valley you are in. 

Every military has a defensive and offensive strategy.  When you’re on offense, you’re taking ground, moving forward, and looking to win the battle.  But there are equal amounts of time that you’re going to have to be on the defense too, protecting yourself from attacks and casualties from the other side.  Today, Pastor Ron is talking about a spiritual battle of offense and defense.  He uses David as an example of someone who was ready to take on the challenge proactively, ready for whatever was coming.  

You battled that addiction, and it was a grueling process to be healed and come out of it on the other side, but God got you through.  But now Satan is feeding you insidious lies that cause you to question, doubt, and self-condemn.  “Will I ever be able to truly overcome this, or will it haunt and plague me all of my life?”  Today, Pastor Ron speaks some solid truth about your future, and it’s not dependent on the past.  You are redeemed, forgiven, and your past has no hold on you now.  Don’t ever forget that!    

Do you find yourself attempting to elevate yourself?  There’s that promotion at work, and so you’re putting in a good word to the boss about the extra work you’ve done, to prop yourself up in good standing.  What about around others in the church, pointing out all the ways that you have served, as if it’s something to keep track of for some kind of trophy?  But today, Pastor Ron mentions that your posture should be a willingness to let God do the work, and He will bless what He sees fit!

You may not think that what you’re doing is stubborn or rebellious.  “It’s just part of the culture, and there’s no getting away from it.”  Maybe it’s that show on Netflix you’re justifying and have become desensitized to.  What about those curse words you’re using, so you can be accepted by the in-crowd?  Or here’s one… how’s your speech of others?  Pastor Ron wants to bring your attention today to the fact that when you rebel against the instructions that God gives, it leads you down a path of wickedness and sin.

God is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. This means that what He has done in the past He will do now, and He will work in the future. This is a promise that, as believers, we should take heart in! Jesus does not change, giving us a foundation to stand on and a hope in faith that we should be eager to share with others. Today, Pastor Ron urges us to share Jesus with one person daily! Jesus wants to use us in today’s hardship and struggle to do amazing things for the Glory of His Kingdom.  

Something to always be thankful for is God’s patience. As humans born sinners, we mess up daily, but God is forgiving and patient. We may lose our way and veer off the path that God has for us, and amazingly, He never leaves us and never forsakes us. God never stops knocking, softening our hearts, making a way for Him to be the centre of our lives. Today, Pastor Ron teaches us that God is a patient savior who loves His children, who gives multiple chances to us even when we don’t deserve it.  

When God brings a calling on your life, you can trust that He will make a way and see you through. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and anxious as you press on to accomplish something you want, chances are, God is not in it, and you’re walking in your own calling. Today, Pastor Ron teaches that the Kingdom of God is flipped upside down from the natural world. When you humble yourselves and let God work, He will lift you up, and your calling will be fulfilled with peace and joy. 

Sometimes it can be really hard to find contentment in the things you’ve grown tired of. Maybe you’ve been living in a house that you’ve slowly outgrown, and you’re ready for a change. Or maybe you’ve been driving the same hand-me-down car since graduation, and you feel an upgrade is due. The time may not be quite right, but you take the leap and go for it anyway, and now noting seem to be going as planned. Today, Pastor Ron teaches that it’s best to wait for God’s timing, not move in our own.                

God’s love is not that of a human’s petty or envious jealousy. He doesn’t look at us and wish He could have what we have or be who we are. No, He looks at us with an intense sense of protection. We belong to Him, and when we give our loyalty to things other than Him, trusting that they will make us feel whole in only ways that He can, He feels a sense of betrayal and jealousy. Today, Pastor Ron teaches that God has a passionate, eager desire to be in loyal fellowship with us.          

In Mathew 27, Jesus cried out to God, asking why He had abandoned Him. It’s the loss of God’s presence that Jesus grieved while on the cross, and that same loss that those living in eternal damnation are tormented with in the end. Today, Pastor Ron teaches that the same is true for us still on earth. When separated from God, we tend to feel lost- stuck in a continual state of loneliness that we can’t fill, no matter how hard we try. Don’t leave Him at the door knocking; He longs to be with you!         

God is always looking for men and women to use, and it’s important to be able to distinguish God’s voice from that of another who may be trying to fool us. There is no doubt that God is moving and working in our lives daily, though the way that He communicates may look different for each individual. Today, Pastor Ron teaches that it’s important to always test what you hear against the scriptures. God does speak to us, and what He’s given us is His word for guidance in everything.    

It’s always good to seek advice from those with whom we share life. To be able to open up about the struggles we’re facing with people we know, who can and will understand. God puts people in our lives who share in our struggles for the purpose of being able to aid in healing and encouragement. But we must never forget that Jesus is our one true Savior. He is the only one who can truly turn things around for the better. Today, Pastor Ron teaches us that we should always go to the Lord in prayer.  

When we're frustrated or anxious about what's happening to us, looking at the life of Jesus puts everything back into perspective. Jesus was fully God, but He was also fully human! He knows exactly what it's like to live as we do. Jesus isn't some distant God who doesn't care about what we're going through. He literally lived it! Today, Pastor Ron will encourage us to keep running the race of faith, knowing that Jesus loves us in the highs and the lows. Look to Him and find the strength to keep going!

Not everything that holds you back from growing spiritually is sin. There are tons of distractions that can take your attention away from God that aren't actually evil in themselves. Watching a certain TV show or having a drink with friends might not be sinful for another Christian, but it may be a burden for you. Today, Pastor Ron will challenge you to let go of the weights you've been carrying so that you can run the race of faith with everything you have. Unburden yourself so that the gospel can advance!

Today, Pastor Ron will encourage you to think about heaven, no matter what you're going through right now. No more sickness. No more pain. No more sadness. No more fear. No more doubt. No more death. No more sin! You'll see loved ones again and people whom you never met who love the Lord! And, more important than all of those things combined, you'll be with Jesus! The almighty Creator of the universe, who wrote your story from start to finish, will embrace you and make all things right. 

Not long from now, there will be a day when everything is made right. Jesus will return and vanquish sin, suffering, and Satan forever. We'll be with Christ for all eternity, praising His name! But we don't have to die to experience a taste of what heaven will be like! Today, Pastor Ron will encourage us with the truth that living in righteousness aligns us with God's will and frees us from the shame and consequences of sin. Experience freedom today and look forward to when Jesus comes to take us home! 

Trusting isn't typically easy for us. We like to have our lives planned out, knowing what's coming and preparing for it. Letting go of control is unnatural, but it's exactly what Jesus calls us to do! Today, Pastor Ron will challenge us to simply trust in God's plan. Scripture assures us that He is all-powerful and knows everything, so why should we doubt? The Creator who spoke the galaxies into existence with a word is the same One who writes our stories! Rest in Him today, knowing He will protect you.

If you ask someone on the street what wealth looks like, they might say having more money than you can spend. Maybe it's driving a Porsche or a Corvette to an executive corner office every day. Today, Pastor Ron will tell you that the Bible has a completely different perspective on what a wealthy person looks like. If you belong to Christ, your eternal destiny is to be a prince or princess of His Kingdom! Your life on Earth will ultimately fade away, but the blessing of being with Jesus never ends!

Our Lord is a God of transformation, and He never wastes anything. God uses terrible things like disease, heartbreak, losing a job, and the death of a loved one to draw us back to Him. Today, Pastor Ron will encourage us that the Lord delights in His children when we choose to love and obey Him. He is not some stoic, heartless ruler who looks down on us as insignificant pawns on a chessboard. He loves us and desires that all of us would turn to Him daily and walk in step with our Good Shepherd.

Sin, like misery, loves company. When you're living in sin, it's natural to be drawn to other people who tolerate, celebrate, and practice similar sins. But those whom you spend time with have a massive impact on your spiritual life! Today, Pastor Ron will show you that being around other Christians is one of the best ways to grow closer to God. And surrounding yourself exclusively with people who haven't met Jesus can be dangerous. Honestly evaluate your heart and make changes that will bless you.

It's easy to feel like you're on fire for Jesus and trusting in His plan when life is going well. It's a lot harder to trust in God's plan when everything seems to be falling apart. Yet the Lord calls us to submit to Him and hold on to faith, even in trials and spiritual battles. Today, Pastor Ron will look at the life of Abraham, a man who was willing to kill his own son because he trusted in God. Abraham didn't know how God was going to use that situation for good, but he followed God's commands anyway! Follow his example!

We've got two simple options in this life. Trust in what we can see, or trust in God. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when we go with the first option. This world is turbulent and unpredictable, and placing our faith in our own strength will always leave us anxious and frustrated. Today, Pastor Ron will challenge us to trust in God's plan, even when we can't see how it all plays out. Our Lord knew every chapter of our stories before we were even born. Trust in Him today and find true and lasting peace.

Today, Pastor Ron reminds you that God wants to see real works in your life. You are not saved by good works, and you are not kept saved by them either. But if you are truly saved, those works will naturally follow. Noah found grace in the eyes of God and was saved by grace alone. Yet he showed his faith through his obedience. True faith will always be accompanied by good works. If someone says they have faith, but there are no works to go with it, that faith is dead and cannot do anything for God.

What happens when someone keeps choosing their own way over God's way? In today's message, Pastor Ron reminds you that God sometimes says, "If this is what you want, that is what you will have". Jesus spoke of a time when the love of many grows cold. That describes the days you are living in right now. Society shows the results of hearts that drift further and further from God. You do not have to follow that path of hardening. God still offers you the chance to choose His way instead.